Changing patterns of marriage

Question 1

High expectations of marriage

Answer 1

People are waiting longer to make sure that the partner they are with is suitable, so they do not rush into this decision.
Spending longer getting to know partners.
Individualisation.

Question 2

Growing secularisation

Answer 2

Less people see cohabitation as wrong.
Less belief in religion means less people feel that they should marry.

Question 3

Growing divorce rares

Answer 3

Fatalistic attitudes - Puts people off getting married.
1 in 2 marriages end in divorce.

Question 4

Changing social attitudes and reduced social stigma

Answer 4

Cohabitation is more accepted.
Births outside of marriage are more accepted
Women who are not married are not looked down on.

Question 5

Changing role of women

Answer 5

Don’t want to play the ‘housewife’ role
Won’t settle for mediocre relationships.
Not financiall dependent on men.
Feminists - marriage is a patriarchal institution.

Question 6

Evidence: Cohabitation 1996-2012

Answer 6

Cohabitation has doubled to 2.9 million couples and the number is still growing.

Question 7

Matrifocal households

Answer 7

90% of househplds are matrifocal.

Question 8

Single person households: 2003-2013

Answer 8

Single person households have increased nu 500,000 because of more divorces and a rise in thos over 65 living alone.