theoretical perspectives on divorce

Question 1

what is Charles Murrays perspective on divorce (new right - pro marriage)?

Answer 1

• in fatherless families children are not being socialised into the correct norms and values by mothers - ‘underclass’ has emerged in which single mothers are claiming state benefits to live and pass on their cultural deprivation (lack of wanting to be part of society and work) to children

Question 2

what is Rodgers and Pryor’s (new right) perspective on divorce?

Answer 2

• negative consequences of divorce - when children raised without a father figure more likely to:
• underachieve in education
• engage in under-age sexual activity
• be involved in crime
• have addiction issues with drugs and alcohol

Question 3

what is Beck and Beck-Gersheim’s (late modernity) perspective on divorce?

Answer 3

• individualism and choice - individualisation thesis
• partners are more likely to prioritise own interests so will leave a relationship if needs are not met - secularisation leads to alternative lifestyles such as cohabitation

Question 4

what is Ronald Fletcher’s (functionalism) perspective on divorce?

Answer 4

• divorce reorganises families where they do not function properly (dysfunctional)
• positive outlook
• empty shell marriage - by breaking up and re-marrying individuals have a happier experience of family life and therefore perform their roles more effectively

Question 5

what is Duncombe and Marsden’s (feminism) perspective on divorce?

Answer 5

• women choosing to escape emotionally dull marriages - exploitative
• divorce can be positive for women who feel emotionally disconnected from their husbands

Question 6

what is Hart’s (feminism) perspective on divorce?

Answer 6

• frustration women feel at not being supported
• increase in divorce is due to women still being help responsible for domestic tasks even when participating in full time employment

Question 7

what are the consequences of divorce for family members?

Answer 7

• conflict within the family - impact on children of parental conflict over access, finance and new relationships
• formation of new families - reconstituted families - could bring increased conflict over parenting of children
• greater number of remarriages, more lone-parent families and more lone-person households within society
• financial issues for partners - loss of second income, additional costs of living

Question 8

could a sociologist argue divorce has any positive outcomes?

Answer 8

• if the couple is very unhappy in the relationship then becoming independent will be beneficial
• puts an end to domestic abuse
• gives women an opportunity to become financially independent
• feminists would say marriage is patriarchy and suppresses the women and her individual potential

Question 9

reasons for increase in divorce?

Answer 9

• changing attitudes to relationships - relationships have become more clinical and transactional and are not permanent as an individual will move from one relationship to another to keep satisfying their needs - confluent love
• reduced stigma and secularisation - divorce now represents a choice for people rather than shame and judgement if you don’t get married. religion shapes our lives to a much lesser extent - less likely to get married in a church and have a religious ceremony
• increased life expectancy - people are with same person for longer so rise in divorces at age of 50-60 as people believe there is other opportunity to find someone else as they feel younger - want some independence they’ve never had before
• changing gender roles - women become less dependent on men due to feminisation of workplace and thus becoming financially and emotionally independent
• growing individualism in society - individualisation thesis, people focus on themselves ahead of their partner and prioritise their individual needs