Marriage Flashcards
why have patterns in marriage changed?
Secularisation
Decline in stigma to alternatives
Changing position of women
Fear of divorce
Ao1
Secularisation
The decline of influence of the church means that people no longer feel as if they should get married for religious reasons
People are free to choose what type of relationships to enter into
In 2001 3% of young people with no religion were married as against 17% of those with a religion
Ao3
Secularisation
The majority of first time marriages take place within a religious context
This suggests that religion plays an important role in peoples lives
Ao1
Decline in stigma to alternatives
Cohabitation, remaining single and having children outside marriages are all regarded as acceptable
In 1989,70% believe that couples who want children should get married
By 2012 only 42% thought so
Ao3
Decline in stigma to alternatives
Despite this, most couples who do cohabit do tend to get married, it’s just the average age of getting married that has risen
Ao1
Changing position of women
Many women are now financially independent from men because of better education and better career prospects
This gives them freedom not to marry
The growing impact of feminist views that marriages is an oppressive patriarchal institution may also reduce why women want to not marry
Ao3
Changing positions of women
Changes to the position of women in society does not mean that they don’t want to get married
They merely put off marriage until their careers are established
Ao1
Fear of divorce
The fear of divorce has led to this people not wanting to get married as society has placed a lot of stigma behind it.
Ao3
Fear of divorce
However those who divorced have remarried meaning that the stigma behind being divorced has decreased along with marriage being seen as positive
Name other factors which can explain changes in marriage rates
Remarriages
Age on Marrying
Church weddings
