Outline and explain two reasons for the changing patterns in marriage and divorce over the last 50
years or so (10)
One reason for the changing patterns in marriage and divorce over the last 50 years or so is declining
stigma and changing attitudes. This means the negative label attached to divorce and marriage is
declining. In the past, divorce and divorcees have been stigmatised. For example, churches tended to
condemn divorce and often refused to conduct marriage services included divorcees. Mitchell and
Goody (1997) argue that an important change since the 1960s has been the rapid decline in the
stigma attached to divorce. Consequently, as stigma declines and divorce becomes more socially
acceptable, couples become more willing to resort to divorce as a means of solving their marital
problems, therefore the fact that divorce is now more common begins to ‘normalise’ and reduces
the stigma attached to it which increases divorce and the number of divorces increase in comparison
to the past. Furthermore, in the past there was a negative label and stigma attached to alternatives
to marriage such as cohabitation, however this has declined now. For example, in 1989, 70% believed
that couples who want children should get married and this has declined and changed by 2012 only
42% thought so. This example is significant and illustrates cohabitation, remaining single and having
children outside of marriage are all widely regarded as acceptable, so that pregnancy no longer
automatically leads to a ‘shotgun’ wedding. Therefore, declining stigma and changing attitudes is one
reason for the changing patterns in marriage and divorce over the last 50 years or so.
Another reason for the changing patterns in marriage and divorce over the last 50 years or so is
secularisation. This means the influence of religion in society is declining. In the past, churches had
influence over people's lives and religious decisions in society, so a lot of people wouldn’t divorce
due to churches being opposed to it, however this has changed. For example, church attendance
rates continue to decline in comparison to the past. Consequently, since the influence of churches
are declining and society is becoming more secular, the traditional opposition of churches of divorce
carries less weight in society and people are less likely to be influenced by religious teachings when
making decisions about personal matters such as whether to file a divorce or not, therefore divorce
has increased due to secularisation. Additionally, even though churches are in favour of marriage,
their influence is declining, therefore people feel freer to choose not to marry, thus decreasing
marriage rates. For example, according to the 2001 Census, only 3% of young people with no religion
were marriage, as against up to 17% of those with a religion. This example is significant and
illustrates that since the influence of churches are declining, more people feel more comfortable and
freer to not marry and instead feel more comfortable and decide to cohabit or decide to implement
other alternatives to marriage, giving people more choice and freedom in society so people become
free to pursue their own self interests which supports the individualisation thesis argued by Giddens.
Therefore, secularisation is another reason for the changing patterns of marriage and divorce over
the last 50 years or so.
Band 8-10
10/10
A*
Good use of sociological theorist to support your answer. Very well written and logical, well done.
Easily and 10 mark answer
years or so (10)
One reason for the changing patterns in marriage and divorce over the last 50 years or so is declining
stigma and changing attitudes. This means the negative label attached to divorce and marriage is
declining. In the past, divorce and divorcees have been stigmatised. For example, churches tended to
condemn divorce and often refused to conduct marriage services included divorcees. Mitchell and
Goody (1997) argue that an important change since the 1960s has been the rapid decline in the
stigma attached to divorce. Consequently, as stigma declines and divorce becomes more socially
acceptable, couples become more willing to resort to divorce as a means of solving their marital
problems, therefore the fact that divorce is now more common begins to ‘normalise’ and reduces
the stigma attached to it which increases divorce and the number of divorces increase in comparison
to the past. Furthermore, in the past there was a negative label and stigma attached to alternatives
to marriage such as cohabitation, however this has declined now. For example, in 1989, 70% believed
that couples who want children should get married and this has declined and changed by 2012 only
42% thought so. This example is significant and illustrates cohabitation, remaining single and having
children outside of marriage are all widely regarded as acceptable, so that pregnancy no longer
automatically leads to a ‘shotgun’ wedding. Therefore, declining stigma and changing attitudes is one
reason for the changing patterns in marriage and divorce over the last 50 years or so.
Another reason for the changing patterns in marriage and divorce over the last 50 years or so is
secularisation. This means the influence of religion in society is declining. In the past, churches had
influence over people's lives and religious decisions in society, so a lot of people wouldn’t divorce
due to churches being opposed to it, however this has changed. For example, church attendance
rates continue to decline in comparison to the past. Consequently, since the influence of churches
are declining and society is becoming more secular, the traditional opposition of churches of divorce
carries less weight in society and people are less likely to be influenced by religious teachings when
making decisions about personal matters such as whether to file a divorce or not, therefore divorce
has increased due to secularisation. Additionally, even though churches are in favour of marriage,
their influence is declining, therefore people feel freer to choose not to marry, thus decreasing
marriage rates. For example, according to the 2001 Census, only 3% of young people with no religion
were marriage, as against up to 17% of those with a religion. This example is significant and
illustrates that since the influence of churches are declining, more people feel more comfortable and
freer to not marry and instead feel more comfortable and decide to cohabit or decide to implement
other alternatives to marriage, giving people more choice and freedom in society so people become
free to pursue their own self interests which supports the individualisation thesis argued by Giddens.
Therefore, secularisation is another reason for the changing patterns of marriage and divorce over
the last 50 years or so.
Band 8-10
10/10
A*
Good use of sociological theorist to support your answer. Very well written and logical, well done.
Easily and 10 mark answer
