Demography - Cohabitation Trends (OCR A-Level Sociology): Revision Notes

Demography - Cohabitation Trends

Cohabitation

People living together without being married is rising

Reasons:

Secularisation – The church disapproving of cohabitation has less influence as people are less religious and no longer consider the opinion of the church

Changes in the position of women – Women have more financial independence due to increased career opportunities, less need for financial security marriage provides and so more able to choose cohabitation

Analysis:

Cohabitation is seen as a trial marriage by many couples, and therefore couples are still marrying. For others, it is permanent as it provides more equality between roles than in a traditional marriage

Therefore, it can have different meanings to different couples

Same-sex relationships

There has been increased social acceptance of same-sex relationships in recent years

Reasons:

Changes in law – In 2014 same-sex couples were made able to marry.

Secularisation – Churches idea of heterosexual relationships being the best type of relationship has less influence

One-person households

Rise in people living alone

• 40% of all one-person households were over 65
• By 2033 over 30% of the adult population will be single

Reasons:

More older people may be living alone due to a partner dying

Rise in divorce – secularisation, changing positions of women

Fall in marriage rates – secularisation, changing positions of women