Topic 5 - Changing family patterns Flashcards
(25 cards)
what does divorce cause ?
- Lone-parent families
- Reconstituted (step) families
- One-person households
- Increased family diversity
what are reasons for the decline in divorce ?
- Fewer people are marrying – more are choosing to cohabit
- Cohabiting couples may separate without formal divorce
who is more at risk of divorce ?
- Marry young
- Have a child before marriage
- Cohabit before marriage
- Have been married before
how did changes in law lead to an increase in divorce ?
- Divorce used to be difficult and expensive, especially for women in the 19th century
- Legal changes have made divorce easier to obtain, more affordable and more equal between genders
- For example 1923: Equalised grounds for divorce between sexes → rise in female petitions
- Additionally couples also find alternatives to divorce such as desertion where one partner leaves the other but the couple remain legally married, and empty shell marriage where the couple continue to live under the same roof but remain married only in name
how has decline in stigma and changing attitudes led to an increase in divorce ?
- Stigma is a negative label/shame (e.g., social disapproval from churches)
- In the past, divorce was highly stigmatised and was seen as immoral or shameful
- However since the 1960s, stigma has declines and divorce is now more socially accepted, so this social acceptance would encourage more people to divorce
how has secularisation led to an increase in divorce ?
- Refers to the decline in the influence of religion
- Effects:
Religious opposition to divorce carries less weight
People are less influenced by religious teachings
Church attendance has declined
how does the rising expectation of marriage lead to an increase in divorce ?
- Fletcher (1966) (functionalist) argues that people now have higher expectations of marriage.
- Unrealistic romantic ideals (ideology of romantic love) cause people to expect total happiness
- If love fades, there’s no reason to stay → leads to divorce.
- In the past marriage was more about duty or economic necessity. Lower expectations meant people were more likely to tolerate unhappy marriages.
- Today marriage is seen as a personal fulfilment quest. If it fails to satisfy, couples are more likely to end it.
- However Feminist critics argue that Functionalists ignore patriarchal oppression in marriage. And also fail to explain why women initiate most divorces.
how has women’s increased financial independence led to an increase in divorce ?
- Women are now less economically dependent on men
- Factors contributing to this:
- Rise in female employment: 53% (1971) → 67% (2013)
- Equal pay & anti-discrimination laws
- Improved education → better job prospects
- Welfare benefits support women post-divorce
- Allan and Crow: marriage is less economically necessary today.
- Women are more empowered to leave unsatisfying marriages due to their own income.
how do feminist explain the increase in divorce ?
- Women face a dual burden: paid work + unpaid domestic labour.
- Feminists argue this causes marital conflict → more divorce.
- Despite public gains, private sphere (home life) remains patriarchal.
- Women often perform a triple shift of Paid work Housework and Emotion work
- Hochschild argues Work is more rewarding than home life and that men’s lack of help at home leads to frustration. This means Less time for emotion work → less stable marriages.
- Radical feminist argue that rising divorces reflect female dissatisfaction and a growing rejection of patriarchal marriage.
how had modernity and individualisation led to an increase in divorce ?
- Beck and Giddens argue In modern society, traditional norms (lifelong marriage) are weakening.
- And that there is a rise of the individualisation thesis:
People are more focused on self-interest and personal fulfilment. - Relationships are now more fragile: People seek the “pure relationship” (Giddens): based only on mutual satisfaction.
- If it stops fulfilling needs it leads divorce.
- Divorce is now normalised, reinforcing this pattern.
- Modern society promotes: Individual career goals (for men and women) This focus on freedom and self-interest may lead couples to grow apart.
What is the new right view on divorce ?
- View divorce negatively.
- Undermines the traditional nuclear family, which they see as vital for social stability.
- Consequences of high divorce rates:
- Creates an underclass of welfare-dependent lone mothers.
- Leaves boys without a male role model.
- Leads to poorer health and educational outcomes for children.
- Increases the burden on the state.
what is the feminist and functionalist perspective on divorce ?
- Feminist Perspective, Support high divorce rates. As it indicates women are escaping patriarchal oppression in the traditional family. Also shows signs of female empowerment and liberation.
- Functionalist perspective, Do not see divorce as a threat to the institution of marriage. Result of higher expectations of marriage today. High re-marriage rates show people still value marriage.
what is the interactionist, personal life and postmodernist view on divorce ?
- Interactionist Perspective, Focus on the individual meanings people attach to divorce. Cannot generalise – everyone’s experience is different. One person saw divorce as a relief. Another felt devastated and never recovered.
- Personal life perspective, Acknowledges negative effects like: Financial problems (especially for women) Loss of daily contact between children and one parent, but also note divorce has been normalised and families can adapt to it without falling apart
- Post modernist view, See divorce as a positive sign of individual freedom. Reflects the ability to choose relationships based on personal fulfilment.
what are reasons for fewer first marriages ?
- Changing attitudes: Less social pressure to marry. Focus is on relationship quality, not legal status.
- Secularisation: Less religious influence on lifestyle choices.
- Declining stigma: Cohabitation, remaining single, and having children outside marriage are more accepted.
- Women’s improved position: More education and career opportunities. Less economic dependence on men.
- Fear of divorce: Rising divorce rates discourage commitment to marriage.
what are reasons for the rise in cohabitation ?
- Less stigma around sex outside marriage: 1989: 44% said premarital sex is “not wrong at all”. 2012: 65%.
- Generational shift: Young people more likely to accept cohabitation.
- More female independence: Career success reduces need for financial dependence on men.
- Secularisation: Non-religious young people more likely to cohabit.
what are the legal milestones for same sex relationships ?
- 1967: Decriminalisation of male homosexual acts (21+).
- 2002: Adoption rights extended to cohabiting same-sex couples.
- 2004: Civil Partnership Act – gave same-sex couples rights similar to marriage.
- 2014: Legalisation of same-sex marriage.
what does Weeks argue ?
- agues that increased social acceptance may explain a trend towards same sex cohabitation and stable relationships that resemble those among heterosexuals
- says that some gay people build families in a different way from traditional biological or married families.
- Instead of being related by blood or marriage, they form deep, supportive bonds with friends, partners, or ex-partners — people they choose to be close to.
- These are called “chosen families.”
- argues that chosen families can provide the same things that traditional families do
what does Allan and Crow help to argue ?
- Before same-sex marriage was legal, gay couples did not have the same legal protections or roles as straight (heterosexual) married couples.
- So, unlike straight couples who often follow traditional roles like: “Husband does this” and “Wife does that”
- Same-sex couples had to figure things out for themselves from scratch — like:
- Who handles money?
- Who takes care of the home?
- This is what sociologists mean by “negotiating roles.”
why are more people living alone ?
- Divorce, as after separation, children usually live with the mother. So, many fathers end up living alone
- People are marrying later or not at all. So, more adults stay single for longer (or permanently).
- Lack of available partners. Older widows, for example, may want a partner but can’t find one.
what does Charles Murray argue ?
- New right view
- Says welfare creates a “dependency culture” and “perverse incentives” (rewards bad choices).
- Thinks we should cut benefits to stop this.
- However critics argue that welfare benefits are far from generous and that lone parent often cannot work due to childcare costs and low pay and father not paying child support
what are step families ?
- often known as re constituted families
- Over 10% of families are stepfamilies.
- Ferri & Smith: Stepfamilies work well overall, but are more at risk of poverty.
- Allan & Crow: They face loyalty conflicts, especially around contact with the other parent.
- There is a rise in step families because Children usually stay with the mother, so more stepdads support their partner’s kids.
what is the trend in black families and why ?
- Higher proportion of lone-parent families (especially mother-led).
- In 2012, over 50% of Black families with dependent children were lone-parent.
- This may be because of the Slavery legacy where Families were separated, and children stayed with mothers – this may have influenced family structures
- Additionally Male unemployment/poverty: Makes it harder for men to provide, which can lead to family breakdown or absence.
- However Mirza notes This isn’t “disorganisation” – Black women value independence and choose to raise children alone
what is the trend in asian families ?
- More likely to include three generations, though most are actually nuclear families (parents + children).
- Cultural values: Many Asian cultures place high importance on extended family.
- Migration support: When families moved to Britain, extended family helped with: Housing Finances Emotional support
what is argued about the extended family ?
- The classic three-generation extended family living together is “all but extinct”, except among some groups (e.g. Bangladeshis in Swansea).
- However it does still exist in new forms as found by Wilmott, who identifies the dispersed extended family, where family members live separately, but stay in regular contact
- Chamberlain study found that caribbean familes often have multiple nuclear families that are dispersed but still very supportive