The increase in divorce rates may be due to changes in laws, but it is important to consider the level of responsibility that legal action carries and explore other potential factors. Over time, non-marital options have gained greater acceptance and lost some of their stigma.
Giddens (1993) and Goode (1963) suggest that marriage is no longer obligatory, and people are opting for equally attractive alternatives. In the past, marriage was mainly for financial security; however, nowadays individuals get married out of love. A reduction in arranged marriages and an increase in love-based marriages serve as evidence for this shift.
Coleman and Salt (1992) state that the veneration of virginity has decreased due to evolving thoughts, while family diversity has expanded with cohabitation becoming a common occurrence. As a result, there has been an increase in illegitimate children.
There are different opinions among sociologists regarding the r
...easons for the growing popularity of cohabitation. Secularisation, increasing marriage expenses, and a preference for non-marital options are some suggested factors. Functionalists view cohabiting families as nuclear families lacking official recognition through marriage. The New Right believes that this trend indicates a weakening of traditional family values. Feminists argue that women reject the patriarchal structure of family and look for alternatives.
Chester (1985) suggests that cohabitation is a temporary stage preceding marriage, resembling a "trial marriage." The concept implies that couples content with their living arrangement are more likely to wed, while those unsatisfied are likelier to separate. Despite this trend towards premarital cohabitation, the divorce rate remains high. Studies indicate that cohabiters are four times more prone to splitting than married partners, implying an even greater frequency of divorce without the option t
live together beforehand. Single-parent families result from separation, death of a spouse or lifestyle choice and can face societal stigma according to Bernardes (1997), who notes that matrimony is still deemed preferable.
McCulloch (1982) suggests that communes offer an alternative approach to living, in which families come together and share resources based on a common ideology. This type of communal living differs from traditional nuclear family structures. In contrast, Bernard (1976) highlights the significant role of women's dissatisfaction as the cause of 75% of divorce petitions. He notes that both partners often have different expectations when entering into marriage, resulting in what he terms "two marriages."
Divorce is often caused by differing expectations between husbands and wives, which cannot be solely attributed to changes in laws. Fletcher notes that economic changes have empowered women to leave unfulfilling marriages they may have been unable to escape if they were not financially stable. Despite the concept of gender equality in the workforce, women's earnings still average 75% less than men's. Additionally, women tend to work part-time or shorter hours due to their continued responsibility for domestic tasks such as childcare.
In 1976, Hart observed that women were changing their approach to family obligations and now consider their actions beforehand. This contrasts with the previous perception of family responsibilities as mandatory duties. The author highlights potential conflicts between partners when balancing household tasks and external work, which if mismanaged can result in divorce. Prior to the Divorce Legislation Act of 1971, proving a spouse's fault was necessary for obtaining a divorce, referred to as matrimonial offence.
Following the Divorce Reform Act, proving irretrievable breakdown of marriage was sufficient for finalizing divorce within
two years if both partners didn't object. However, if one partner objected, it could take up to five years. Despite this legal change making divorce easier, it may not be the sole reason behind significantly increased divorce rates. According to Gibson's predictions based on current patterns, four out of ten marriages will end in divorce. The estimated divorce rate currently stands at one-third for England and Wales from 1971-1985.
Goode suggests that the decrease in religious beliefs is a reason for the reduced stigma surrounding divorce in certain communities. Similarly, Gibson and Giddens agree with this concept and believe that the deterioration of shared values contributes to marital issues. Additionally, changing perceptions of marriage and family life may also play a role in divorce.
In Fletcher's view, the reform act has made divorce more accessible and encouraged people to leave unhappy marriages. Over 50% of divorced individuals remarry within a year, suggesting a desire for fulfilling relationships even with higher expectations. Dennis, who subscribes to New Right ideology, sees emotional connection as essential for marriage stability. Demographic shifts have also contributed to divorce rates independent of the reform act; historically, delayed marriage and shorter life expectancy were factors.
According to Anderson (1983), people are getting married at a younger age and living longer than previous generations. As a result, marriages tend to last for a similar duration. This prolonged marriage may explain why individuals still choose to get married instead of remarrying following the loss of a spouse. Although cohabitation is often seen as a step towards marriage, the General Households Survey 1993 contradicts this belief by suggesting that those who cohabit have an increased risk of divorce.
The survey also indicates that younger couples experience high rates of divorce, supporting the notion that marriage is an unstable institution. Moreover, families are becoming more isolated and receiving lesser support from extended relatives.
The reliance of family members solely on each other can result in heightened intensity within the family. In times of trouble, individuals may be hesitant to seek help from their extended family or professional sources, leading to further complications and even divorce. This aligns with the third stage of Young and Willmott's theory. While changes in the law may contribute to divorce, it is important to recognize that there are numerous other reasons at play.
- Fascism essays
- D-day essays
- Adoption essays
- Aunt essays
- Babies essays
- Bedroom essays
- Caring essays
- Children essays
- Daughter essays
- Divorce essays
- Dog essays
- Dysfunctional Family essays
- Family Tradition essays
- Family Values essays
- Father essays
- Foster Care essays
- Friends essays
- Grandparent essays
- Home essays
- Hometown essays
- Husband essays
- Jealousy essays
- Love essays
- Marriage essays
- Mother essays
- Online Dating essays
- Parenting essays
- Parenting Teens essays
- Parents essays
- Relationship essays
- Room essays
- Sibling essays
- Sister essays
- Wedding essays
- Wife essays
- American Civil War essays
- Atomic Bomb essays
- Attack essays
- Cold War essays
- Crimean War essays
- Diplomacy essays
- Emilio Aguinaldo essays
- Emperor essays
- Hitler essays
- Iraq War essays
- Korean War essays
- Mexican American War essays
- Nazism essays
- Nuclear Weapon essays
- Philippine Revolution essays