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Reasons for the rise in divorce rates (Legal Changes (The divorce reform…
Reasons for the rise in divorce rates
Legal Changes
The divorce reform act (1969) meant an individual could petition for a divorce.
Legalisation in 1984 allowed couples to request or petition for divorce ater only one year of marrage, rather than three years as previously.
Legal changes have made divorce easier, quicker and cheaper to obtain.
Legal aid facilities became available, which made divorce cheaper to obtain
Decline in religion (Secularisation)
Less people are having church weddings and more are now having civil ceremonies, so therefore fewer people are making sacred vows to god about their marriage, so the religious barrier is weaker than in the past.
Secularisation refers to the idea that religion was losing its influence in society
Changes in the social Position of women
Today, more married women participate in the labour market, meaning they are less economically dependent on their husbands.
Women now won't be left with no money following a divorce
In the 1950s, many women in empty shell marriages were tied to their husbands through economic dependence
However, due to financial hardship, it is still a lot easier for men to walk away from a marriage than it is for a woman
Changes in attitude
Some members of the Royal family have divorces and we regularly hear about celebrity divorces in the media - leading it to be a lot more widely accepted
In the 1960s, there was a shift towards more liberal attitudes to issues such as divorce - therefore making it less stigmatised and more socially acceptable
Media influence
These expectations may not match the daily realities of married life. Therefore an increasing number of marriages do not fulfil such hopes, so more people are getting divorced.
The popular media tend to emphasise the importance of mutual attraction and 'romantic love' in relationships. As a result, individuals may have high expectations of marriage