19) Divorce Trends

Changes to law has led to an increase in divorce rates - Evaluation

- Although the relaxation of divorce laws has meant that people can more easily obtain a divorce, it does not explain why people should want to seek a divorce in the first place! - Changes in divorce laws cannot be blamed for the increase in divorces taking place. It might well have been the case that many marriages were unhappy in the past, yet the stigmatisation of divorce and the difficulties in doing so, meant that couples found themselves in 'empty-shell marriages' instead.

Why have divorce rates increased over the years?

- Changes to laws - 1969 Divorce Reform Act - Changing attitudes in society - Less Stigma - Secularisation in Society - Rising expectations of marriage - The Spread of Feminism - Demographic Factors

How divorce rates have changed?

-Since the 1960s, the number of divorces in England and Wales has risen quite considerably, peaking in 1993 at 180,000! -Since then, the number of divorces has begun to slowly decline. It is now estimated that 40% of all first marriages will end in divorce! -Most divorces are initiated by women. This is a marked contrast to the situation in the past. Couples who marry young, have a child before they marry or those who cohabit before they marry are most likely to get divorced. It is important to note, however, that it is easy to assume that marriages were happier in the past due to low divorce rates, yet this might actually be explained by the fact that it was a lot harder to divorce.

Allan and Crow (2001) - People see marriage as a relationship rather than a contract/commitment

According to Allan and Crow, couples in society today increasingly see marriage as 'a relationship, rather than a contract'. In this sense, people who get married do not see themselves as entering a binding, lifelong contract, but rather they hope to establish a personally satisfying relationship. Love, personal commitment and intrinsic satisfaction are seen to be the cornerstones of marriage. When emotions and feelings are absent, couples feel more inclined to divorce and look for these qualities in a new partner. As society increasingly 'normalises' divorce, people are even less worried about beginning divorce proceedings.

Cooke & Gash (2010) The Spread of Feminism does not influence divorce rates

Research by Lynn Cooke and Vanessa Gash, using the British Household Survey found no connection between women working and the likelihood of them getting divorced. Furthermore, they found no significant relationship between the level of earnings of wives compared to their husbands and divorce rates. They therefore suggest that women's greater economic independence from men has no significant impact on marital breakdown. However, they did find a relationship between a husband's unemployment and divorce, and they claim that this has a stronger influence on the likelihood of divorce occurring.

Secularisation in society has led to an increase in divorce rates

Secularisation (the declining influence of religion in society) provides another reason for increases in the divorce rate. The declining influence of religion in people's lives means that there is less moral control over marriages. Non-religious couples, therefore, are uninfluenced by religious teachings and so freely request divorce. In the past, the power of the church, in disapproving of divorce, meant that couples remained married, even if the relationship had broken down.

Rising expectations of marriage has led to an increase in divorce rates

Some sociologists believe that, in today's increasingly individualistic society, people have greater expectations of what marriage is, and what married life is all about. Consequently, people are all too easily disappointed.

Changes to law has led to an increase in divorce rates:

The most significant explanation for the increase in the divorce rate over the years is due to changes in the law. The Divorce Reform Act (1969) made it much easier for couples to obtain a divorce. Prior to this, the partner wishing to seek a divorce had to prove that a 'matrimonial offence' had taken place. This was very difficult. Now, divorce can be granted as long as the marriage is considered by the couple to have 'irretrievably broken down'. Couples who jointly wish to obtain a divorce may apply to do so after one year of being married. Then, if both partners agree, the divorce will dissolve the marriage after two years. If only one partner wishes to divorce, the couple must wait for 5 years before the marriage is dissolved. During this 'cooling off' period, it is hoped that the couple may resolve their differences and no longer wish to divorce. This is something that functionalist and New Right thinkers would agree with.

The Spread of Feminism has led to an increase in divorce rates

The spread of feminism since the 1960s has also had an important influence on the divorce rate. Women now expect more from marriage. In the past, women were under great pressure to 'find a husband' and 'settle down'. Now, women are often more interested in pursuing a career and have a greater degree of independence in their lives. This means that, when a marriage breaks down, they are not afraid to 'go it alone'! This is especially true among Afro-Caribbean women, where there is a high proportion of lone parenthood.

Changing attitudes in society has led to an increase in divorce rates

There is now far less stigma (social disapproval) in society surrounding divorce. Therefore, couples are more willing to request a divorce when the marriage gets into trouble.

Demographic factors have led to an increase in divorce rates

With longer life expectancy in British society, 'life long' marriages are described as 'in the past'. As people live longer, it is, perhaps, expected that they will have several partners during the course of their lives. This would certainly explain why divorce rates are rising among the over 60s. 'Silver separations' are more common as people realise that they have a lot more they would like to achieve in life still, and often find that the relationship is rather empty after children have grown up and left home.