Sociology Marriage Cohabitation and Divorce Introduction In the past marriage was a popular religious ceremony which couples went through to show their love and commitment to each other Although today there are many threats which have been identified which will have an affect on the ID: 617164
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Slide1
Igcse Sociology
Marriage
, Cohabitation and DivorceSlide2
IntroductionIn the past marriage was a popular religious ceremony which couples went through to show their love and commitment to each otherAlthough today there are many threats which have been identified which will have an affect on the traditional marriageSlide3
Marriage1971 – 459,000 marriages1991 – 350,000 marriagesDuring the period of 1971 to 1991 divorce rates more than doubled. Slide4
MarriageThe threats to marriage can fall into two categories. These are:Threats which result from alternatives to marriageThreats which result from the breakdown of marriagesThink!Can you think of any examples which would fit into either of these two categories?Slide5
MarriageThreats resulting from alternatives to marriage.Marriage Rates – People are delaying marriage therefore at present there is a decline.Bernades (1997)- Points out that most people get married at some point in their life. Slide6
MarriageThreats resulting from alternatives to marriageCohabitation – This is on the increase. By 2002 over a quarter of non-married people in Britain were cohabitingBurgoyne and Clark (1984) - A significant proportion of their sample said cohabitation is a good idea. Although it is not an permanent alterative to marriage Slide7
MarriageThreats resulting from alternatives to marriageSingle-Person Households – Many people now live on their own, this may be because they are divorced or separated or it may just be a deliberate choice of life. Single person households are becoming more common in Britain. Slide8
MarriageThreats resulting from the breakdown of marriagesThere are three main categories which threats from the breakdown of marriage can fall into. These are:Divorce – The legal termination of a marriageSeparation – The physical separation between two spousesEmpty-Shell Marriages – The spouses remain living together although their marriage exists in name only. Slide9
DivorceIn modern societies divorce has risen steadily, although in the 1990’s the divorce rate was fairly stable. ChandlerApproximately 40% of marriages will end in divorce. Remarriages are also on the rise.Slide10
Explaining Marital BreakdownMarriage is decliningDivorce is increasingRemarriages are risingSo why are marriages breaking up? Slide11
Explaining Marital BreakdownThe Value of MarriageFunctionalists Parsons and Fletcher argue that marriage today is too valued.People expect more and demand more from marriage and this can lead to marital breakdown. The British Attitudes Survey (2001) Marriage is still largely valued although C
ohabitation
is
also seen as a legitimate alternative
. Slide12
Explaining Marital BreakdownThe Value of MarriageFunctionalists Parsons and Fletcher argue that marriage today is too valued.People expect more and demand more from marriage and this can lead to marital breakdown. THE British Attitudes Survey (2001)Marriage is still largely valued although Cohabitation is also seen as a legitimate alternativeSlide13
Explaining Marital BreakdownConflict Between SpousesLeach (1967)- The nuclear family suffers from an emotional overload which then increases the level of conflict between family members. Slide14
Explaining Marital BreakdownModernity, Freedom and ChoiceGibson (1994)Modernity has lead to the development of increasing individual achievement. There is no emphasis on consumer choice, this means if you don’t find satisfaction in your first partner you can seek an alternative. Slide15
Explaining Marital BreakdownThe Ease of DivorceToday it is said that divorce is a much easier process to go through than it was before. The reasons for this are:SecularisationChanging attitudesChanges in the lawGibson (1994)The decline in religion has weakened the religious belief which binds a couple together and this. Therefore makes divorce more likely.
The grounds for divorce has widened therefore making a divorce easier to obtain.
The stigma which used to be attached to divorce has also considerable reduced.
People no longer see divorce as such a bad, deviant thing.
The law has changed making divorce easier to obtain.
In
1857 a private act of parliament was required in order for someone to obtain a divorce.