Declining Stigma: Social attitudes have shifted since the 1960s, with divorce becoming less stigmatized and more socially acceptable within most communities.
Secularisation: The declining influence of religion means that fewer people view marriage as a sacred, indissoluble 'vow before God', leading to more civil ceremonies and easier exits from marriage.
Rising Expectations: Sociologists argue that people now have higher expectations of marriage, seeking emotional fulfillment and 'romantic love' rather than just economic security; if these needs aren't met, they are more likely to leave.
Media Influence: The normalization of celebrity divorces in the media has contributed to the perception that marital breakdown is a standard life event.
Economic Independence: Increased workplace opportunities mean women are less financially dependent on husbands, allowing them to leave unhappy marriages without facing destitution.
Welfare Support: The availability of welfare benefits for lone mothers provides a safety net that supports the decision to end a marriage when children are involved.
Dual-Career Conflicts: While economic independence is liberating, the demands of dual-career households can lead to 'role conflict' and stress, contributing to relationship breakdown.
Feminism: Feminists view high divorce rates positively, seeing them as evidence of women 'breaking free' from patriarchal control and traditional domestic oppression.
Functionalism: Functionalists like Parsons argue that high divorce rates aren't a threat to marriage as an institution, noting that high remarriage rates prove people still value the 'ideal' of marriage.
The New Right: This perspective views high divorce rates as undesirable, arguing they undermine the traditional nuclear family and lead to an 'underclass' dependent on welfare.
Marxism: Marxists may link divorce to the stresses of the capitalist system, where lack of resources and exploitation create tension within working-class families.
Diverse Households: Divorce is a primary driver for the rise in lone-parent families, reconstituted (blended) families, and one-person households.
Financial Impact: Divorce often leads to financial hardship, particularly for lone parents who may struggle to balance child-rearing with full-time employment.
Emotional Distress: While divorce can resolve conflict, it often involves significant emotional distress for both parents and children, sometimes leading to disputes over property and parenting rights.
Analyze 'Why': When discussing divorce rates, always categorize your points into Legal, Social, Economic, and Cultural factors to demonstrate breadth of knowledge.
Link to Theory: Use the 'Perspectives' section to evaluate the impact of divorce; for example, compare the Feminist 'liberation' argument with the New Right 'instability' argument.
Check the Timeline: Be precise with dates like the 1969 Divorce Reform Act and the 2020 No-Fault Act, as these are critical for high-mark answers.
Avoid Generalizations: Remember that while divorce rates rose for decades, they have recently stabilized or declined as marriage rates themselves have fallen.
