Higher Sociology Aspect 3 – Marital Breakdown Lesson 5 1

Reminder: Outcome 3 Evaluate selected aspects of sociological topics using different sociological theories and studies. Performance Criteria a)Explain marital breakdown in a balanced way by taking account of different sociological studies b)Use relevant evidence from a range of sociological studies to support the explanations c)Develop sociological arguments, based on evidence and examples used in relevant sociological studies d)Make balanced evaluations that refer to evidence and arguments from contrasting sociological theories. 2

Reminder: 3 perspectives 1.Functionalism 2.Marxism 3.Feminism 3

Studies on marital breakdown 1.Nicky Hart When Marriage Ends (1976). 2.Ronald Fletcher The Family and Marriage in Britain (1966). (Haralambos & Holborn, page 505 – 506) 4

5 Sign of the times? Billboard poster in the USA from a law firm.

Features of marital breakdown Marital breakdown is usually organised into three categories: 1.Empty shell marriages 2. Separation 3. Divorce 6

Introduction Marriage is a legal agreement between two people that can only be legally terminated through divorce. In 1911, there were just 859 divorce applications The divorce rate is beginning to fall simply because fewer people are getting married. 7

Recent Trends in Divorce In 2006 divorce rate fell for a second consecutive year and by 7 per cent compared with 2005 In past 20 years the average age at divorce has risen ( for men) and ( for women), partly reflecting the rise in age at marriage. 8

Long-term Divorce Rates in the UK This graph shows the dramatic increase in divorce in the latter part of the last century. Note the dramatic growth in 1971 explained by the Divorce Reform Act discussed on a later slide. 9

Serial Divorce 1 in 5 men and women divorcing in 2006 had a previous marriage ending in divorce. This proportion has doubled in 25 years. 10

Who gets divorced? Social class: the lower the social class of the husband, the more likely of divorcing Unemployment: dependency on benefits and low income are all linked to high divorce rates. Age: couples who marry young are more likely to get divorced 11

Who Gets Divorced (continued) Second marriages are more likely to end in divorce than first marriages. Mixed-class, ethnicity or religion can cause marital problems. Couples may have less in common and experience a lack of acceptance from their families. 12

William Goode William Goode argues that marriage has become an occurrence for more emotional reasons. In the past, people married for practical reasons, and the fact that partners did not love each other wasn't a problem. 13

Modernism and Individualism Colin Gibson (1994) Dissolving Wedlock argues modernism with its emphasis on individual achievement raises expectations of personal satisfaction. 14

Allan and Crow (2001) Marriage is more a relationship than an agreement Couples look for love, satisfaction, and commitment and recognise marriage doesn't have to be a relationship that lasts forever. 15

“For the sake of the children” In the past, couples stayed together 'for the sake of the children.‘ Today, many accept that children are better off with a single parent, rather than with two parents who are arguing. 16

Changes in Women’s Position Three-quarters of divorce applications come from women. Women expect more out of a marriage than men and have less to gain from empty-shell marriages. Allan and Crow say that opportunities for women have improved in the past 50 years, e.g. they are economically more independent. 17

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Study 1 19

Study 1 – R. Fletcher’s (1966) The Family and Marriage in Britain A Functionalist interpretation is that divorce is due to increased expectations of marriage. Couples no longer prepared to put up with empty shell marriages. Many divorcees remarry so people are not disillusioned. 20

Strengths of Fletcher’s study Seen as strong in recognising and explaining divorce trends Recognises the increased opportunities for women in marriage – 75% of divorce petitions are from women. 21

Weaknesses However he is criticised for overstating the progress made by women. 75% of petitions confirms a greater level of disillusionment for women, thus confirming continued inequality. 22

Feminist response Feminists say that the increase in the divorce rate is a reflection of what is wrong with the traditional patriarchal marriage Divorced men are more likely to re-marry than divorced women. According to Diana Gittins (1993) this is because women are disillusioned with marriage. 23

Weaknesses It is also the case that alternative family structures are still increasing E.g. co-habitation, same-sex parenting and single-parent families So, this undermines Fletcher’s view that there is an increasing importance attached to marriage as an institution. 24

Study 2 25

Nicky Hart When Marriage Ends (1976) Hart (1976) suggests that there are three key factors to consider in an analysis of increasing divorce rates: 1.Opportunities to escape marriage. 2.Opportunities for increased conflict and stress between spouses – specialisation of functions 3.Changing values attached to marriage – raised expectations. 26

Hart (cont.) She argues divorce needs to be understood in terms of both macro-factors (society-influenced) and micro-factors (individual factors). Remember – Mills’ “Sociological Imagination” 27

1. Divorce Law Time Line 1857 Matrimonial Causes Act - Divorce available for the first time. But not for women or the working class Women received equality with men and began getting custody of children. Legal Aid and Advice Act - Legal Aid became available for divorces Law extended grounds for divorce: adultery, cruelty and desertion Legal to re- marry in churches. Divorce Reform Act - ‘No Fault’ divorce after 2 years separation if mutually agreed. 5 years if only one person agreed Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act - Easier to divorce in early stages of marriage Divorce after one year of separation. Copyright Stacey Osborne, used with permission 28

1969 Divorce Reform Act The Divorce Reform Act (1971) introduced the no- fault divorce Couples can quickly get divorced on grounds that their marriage has ‘irretrievably broken down’ Evidence for this was living apart for 2 years (or 5 years if one partner objected). Divorce now became a “rubber stamp” process. 29

Divorce and Changes to the Law Clearly changes to the law have resulted in an increase in the divorce rate. But the divorce rate has risen at times when there have been no legislative changes e.g. during the 1960s. Legislative changes do not, in themselves, explain why more people choose to get divorced. 30

Changing Attitudes Divorce used to be regarded as sinful but with the decline in the influence of religion this attitude is outdated. Even though the Catholic Church does not recognise divorce its influence is weakening. 31

Task In small groups, discuss the consequences of divorce for the individuals involved and for society as a whole. – You could include in your discussion the effects of divorce on the number of single- parent families, the remarriage rate and the incidence of poverty. 32

2. Increased Marital Stress and Conflict More women are dissatisfied with the unfair division of labour inside the family. Where both partners work, who acts as a ‘stabiliser of adult personalities’ (Talcott Parsons) now? 33

Increased Marital Stress and Conflict (cont.) Financial problems, increasing debt, pressures to have a high material living standard can all undermine relationships. 34

Women and the Labour Market Nicky Hart (1976) says that the rise in the working women has put more strain on marriages. The increase in the divorce rate suggests that women want a better bargain out of marriage. Employment (and welfare) offers women opportunities to live independently of men. 35

However, Divorce is still rarer amongst many ethnic groups E.g. Chinese, Indian… 36

Task Why are there fewer disputes between husband and wives in traditional ethnic marriages? What does it tell us about culture, marriage and the family? 37

3. Over-high Expectations? Functionalists theorist, Ronald Fletcher The Family and Marriage in Britain (1966) argues that people expect more out of marriage and family life than they used to. Couples are no longer prepared to be part of ‘empty-shell marriages’. Therefore divorce is more common. 38

Strengths of Hart’s study Strong in recognising the impact of changes in society on marriage Recognises demands put on women by modern capitalism e.g. dual burden of paid work and child care and conflict with spouce over conjugal roles 39

Weaknesses of Hart’s study This Marxist study over-states the demise of marriage as an institution Marriage is still central to most people’s lives Causes of marital breakdown are open to interpretation. 40

Task What are the three most common reasons for the increase in the divorce rate in Britain over the past 40 years. Who is more likely to start divorce proceedings? 41

Summary Marital breakdown in Britain has been and will be significantly affected by: 1.What happens to female labour markets. 2.What level of state support is granted to one- parent families. 3.What changes to patterns and expectations of male-female domestic relationships emerge. 42

Map out the 2 studies R. Fletcher Perspective it supports Findings/explanations Strengths Weaknesses N. Hart Perspective it supports Findings/explanations Strengths Weaknesses 43