1. SCLY2: Sociology of the Family Divorce

2. Changes in the Law Divorce Law Reform Act (1969): “Irretrievable breakdown of marriage” Large increase in divorce as couples sought blameless separation….. …..and backlog was cleared

3. Changes in the Law Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act (1984): Reduced the minimum time in marriage before divorce could commence from three years to one year Many “hidden” breakdowns came to court

4. Changes in the Law Family Law Act (1996) Became law in 1998 Seen as New Right backlash to liberalization Increased minimum time in marriage to eighteen months Required counseling before marriage could be ended

5. Secularisation Less than 10% regularly attend church Marriage vows are seen as less binding Roman Catholics have recognized divorce Some denominations allow divorcees to remarry in church But… Some faiths (egGreek Orthodox) do not recognize remarriage

6. Change in Role of Women Since 1970’s the majority of divorce petitions have been initiated by women More women now work (Oakley) and are able to support themselves after divorce Much less social stigma attached to divorcees (since 1969 Act)

7. Demographic Changes We now live longer and the dangers of childbirth have been effectively removed Hence we are married longer and more likely to become disillusioned (Anderson)

8. Cultural Changes Marriage was once to do with security and companionship It is now more about romantic love (Edward Shorter 1977) This makes modern marriages more fragile and can lead to “serial monogamy”

9. Cultural Changes Higher expectations lead to greater disillusionment and a demand for divorce (Ronald Fletcher 1966) Privatisationmeans that wider kinship ties are less likely to hold marriages together (William Goode 1971) The emotional emphasis of modern relationships make them particularly fragile (Dennis 1984)

10. An End to the Family? Almost 3 in 5 marriages can expect to end in divorce About 3 in 10 children are born outside marriage More and more people are choosing to co-habit rather than marry There is a small but increasing group of “elective singles” in Britain and the USA

11. But... Over 30% of marriages are remarriages The majority of children born outside marriage are registered by both parents Most of us experience a nuclear family at least once and more likely twice in our lives (Chester 1985) The link between single-parenting and delinquency has more to do with deprivation than family structure