Essay Plans – Family Diversity
Outline and explain two reasons for the increase in re-marriage (10 marks)
Divorce:
Method of separating a couple due to unhappiness.
Since 1960s, there has been a great increase.
The number doubled between 1961 and 1969 and doubled again by 1972.
Peaked at 165,000 divorces in 1993.
Leaves more people being single and therefore, more are looking to remarry.
However, after failed marriage, many may not want to marry again.
Rising expectation of marriage:
Fletcher argue that higher expectations that people place on marriage make couples less
willing to tolerate and unhappy marriage.
Follows the ideology of romantic love:
o Belief that marriage should be based solely on love
o If love dies – no justification to remain married and every reason to divorce.
In the past, people had little say in who they married as it was often a family duty, giving
people low expectations and thus tolerating dissatisfaction.
However, today marriage is not a binding contract and seeks fulfilment – encourages
people to divorce if they don’t find what they are looking for.
However, feminist critics argue that the oppression of women within the family is the
main cause of marital conflict and divorce, but functionalists ignore this – they fail to
explain why it is mainly women that seek divorce over men.
Outline and explain two reasons for the increase in same-sex couples in society today (10
marks)
Changes in the law:
Changes in the law has enable an easier path for homosexuals.
For example, 1967 – homosexuality was decriminalised. No longer treated as an illness.
Also, equalised grounds for homosexuals and heterosexuals – both can adopt etc.
Significant as places homosexuals and heterosexuals on the same level through
portrayal of acceptance and equality.
However, still stigma around the subject etc.
Decline in stigma:
For example, celebrities such as Elton John and David Furnish came out.
Due to their popularity and influence, many more became accepting of homosexuals.
More people inspired to come out.
Also, an opinion poll on Yougov (2012) said that 71% of people were in favour of gay
marriage.
However, still stigma around the subject etc.
Outline and explain two changes in child-bearing patterns (10 marks)
, Essay Plans – Family Diversity
Children outside of marriage:
More people are putting off marriage and having children prior to this.
47% of all children are now born outside of marriage, double the figure in 1986.
Important as this was considering immoral the past – bastards.
Much more common.
Women having children much later on in life:
Women much more focused on careers.
The average age of when women have the first child has risen. From 1971 to 2012, the
average age increased by 4 years to 28.1 years.
Willing to put off childbearing in order to be successful.
Much more common now.
Many have children in their 40s.
Evaluate sociological contributions of our understanding of divorce trends in the United
Kingdom since 1970 (20 marks)
Outline and explain two reasons for the increase in re-marriage (10 marks)
Divorce:
Method of separating a couple due to unhappiness.
Since 1960s, there has been a great increase.
The number doubled between 1961 and 1969 and doubled again by 1972.
Peaked at 165,000 divorces in 1993.
Leaves more people being single and therefore, more are looking to remarry.
However, after failed marriage, many may not want to marry again.
Rising expectation of marriage:
Fletcher argue that higher expectations that people place on marriage make couples less
willing to tolerate and unhappy marriage.
Follows the ideology of romantic love:
o Belief that marriage should be based solely on love
o If love dies – no justification to remain married and every reason to divorce.
In the past, people had little say in who they married as it was often a family duty, giving
people low expectations and thus tolerating dissatisfaction.
However, today marriage is not a binding contract and seeks fulfilment – encourages
people to divorce if they don’t find what they are looking for.
However, feminist critics argue that the oppression of women within the family is the
main cause of marital conflict and divorce, but functionalists ignore this – they fail to
explain why it is mainly women that seek divorce over men.
Outline and explain two reasons for the increase in same-sex couples in society today (10
marks)
Changes in the law:
Changes in the law has enable an easier path for homosexuals.
For example, 1967 – homosexuality was decriminalised. No longer treated as an illness.
Also, equalised grounds for homosexuals and heterosexuals – both can adopt etc.
Significant as places homosexuals and heterosexuals on the same level through
portrayal of acceptance and equality.
However, still stigma around the subject etc.
Decline in stigma:
For example, celebrities such as Elton John and David Furnish came out.
Due to their popularity and influence, many more became accepting of homosexuals.
More people inspired to come out.
Also, an opinion poll on Yougov (2012) said that 71% of people were in favour of gay
marriage.
However, still stigma around the subject etc.
Outline and explain two changes in child-bearing patterns (10 marks)
, Essay Plans – Family Diversity
Children outside of marriage:
More people are putting off marriage and having children prior to this.
47% of all children are now born outside of marriage, double the figure in 1986.
Important as this was considering immoral the past – bastards.
Much more common.
Women having children much later on in life:
Women much more focused on careers.
The average age of when women have the first child has risen. From 1971 to 2012, the
average age increased by 4 years to 28.1 years.
Willing to put off childbearing in order to be successful.
Much more common now.
Many have children in their 40s.
Evaluate sociological contributions of our understanding of divorce trends in the United
Kingdom since 1970 (20 marks)
