Demography - Marriage patterns (OCR A-Level Sociology): Flashcards

Decline of religious influence in society

Delayed marriage, fewer children, increased child-centeredness

Less church power → less religious influence → freedom not to marry

Desirable - shows women's liberation from patriarchal family

Sign of individual freedom

Causes more family diversity e.g. lone-parent families

More in paid work, better educated, financially independent

Don't need husband for finances, freedom to choose not to marry

Undesirable - undermines traditional nuclear family

Growing underclass of welfare-dependent lone parents

High remarriage rate shows continued commitment to marriage

People have higher expectations within their marriages