Summary AQA A Level Sociology Paper 2 Revision Notes on Changing Patterns in Family Life
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Course
Changing patterns in families (SOC101)
Institution
AQA
This document covers the changing patterns in family life for the families and households topic in paper 2. It includes divorce statistics and reasons, who divorces and the impact, partnerships, changes in childbearing and the increase in lone parenthood and diversity among families in modern Brita...
Changes within the family
- Ageing population
- Remarriage and growth in other family types i.e reconstitutional, lone parent
- More child centred and symmetrical
- Weakening of extended kinship links
- More childless couples and later childbearing and more births outside of marriage
- Loss of function
- Growth in ‘singlehood’
- Decline in family size
- Rising divorce rate and a decline in marriage and growth of cohabitation and LATs
Facts:
● 13 divorces an hour in England and Wales in 2012.
● Women were granted 65% of divorces. 1 in 7 were granted due to adultery in 2012.
● 48% of couples divorcing had at least one child under 16 living with the family in
2012.
● It is expected that 42% of marriages will end in divorce.
Marriage
● 1971: 459,000 marriages
● 1991: 350,000 marriages
● 2015: 239,000 marriages
Divorce rate has been dropping. People are not less likely to get divorced, they are less likely
to get married. Less divorces due to less marriages. More marriages end in divorce. In 1974,
1 in 4 marriages ended in divorce, by 2012 it was 1 in 2. Britain has one of the highest
divorce rates in the world.
, REASONS FOR DIVORCE
1. Changes in the law
Divorces are easy to get, can file after 12 months and wait 2 years so can be out within 3
years. Divorce costs less - £550 (can be less, or more depending on circumstances). Both
women (who are more likely to file for divorce) and men can access divorce.
The Divorce Law: Adultery, behaviour and desertion.
AO3: It’s still expensive - £550.
2. Changes in the position of women
In the past, women may have been able to get a divorce, but not have had a secure income
to live alone or raise children. Now women are likely to earn a stable income or can obtain
one, through their work, so they are more likely to go through with a divorce.
Women are more likely to file for divorce - (2012) 65% of divorces were granted to wives –
not because they were in work and more financially independent; but because they are in
work and their husbands aren’t helping in the house. Women and men work similar hours,
but women still do most of the domestic tasks and this triggers divorce.
AO3: Women still are not equal.
3. Rising expectations
Fletcher: we place high expectations on marriages, which is why many fail. People want
love, friendship and family needs to be met by their partner.
Allan & Crow: love, satisfaction and commitment are fundamental components of a
successful marriage. As many do not get this from their marriage they leave and look for
that relationship with someone else.
AO3: Most still place high value on marriage – believe it is important to make it
work. Many see cohabitation as an equal alternative to marriage, showing the legal status of
marriage may not be as valued as in the past. Research shows people do not view marriage
with higher expectations than in the past.
4. Secularisation
People are becoming less religious and are more likely to be okay with getting a divorce. The
church has less power in people's lives and people do not believe they will go to hell or are
breaking God's wishes. Divorce is seen as a life choice which is often part of someone's life.
AO3: Religion is actually increasing globally.
5. Declining stigma and changing attitudes
In the past people viewed divorce as shameful, they were published in newspapers and
someone’s career could be ruined by it. Many high profile divorces (King Charles) and
because of this change to modern ideas of love in marriage, divorce is viewed as acceptable.
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