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Reasons for Divorce

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Examine the reasons for changes in divorce rate since 1969 (24 marks)
The divorce rate in the uk has increased to 6 times the amount in 1969, studies prove that 40% of marriages end in divorce. 70% of these marriage petitions coming from women. There are various factors which contribute to the rapid increase in divorce rate, for example:
FLETCHER, a functionalist, argue that this increase is due to the higher expectations of marriage which exist today, as marriage, in contrary to the past is not based on economic factors, therefore the purpose of marriage is purely love, therefore if the love dies and the marriage turns into an "empty shelll marriage" then there is no longer any use for it, which in turn leads of divorce and furthermore an increase in divorce rates.
Feminisits on the oter hand would argue that the increase in divorce rates would be due to the changin position of women in society, for example the financial aspect, women have the oppurtunity to be in paid work, or recieve welfare state benefits, therefore meaning they don't have to rely economically on a marriage, and also they have the costs to cover divorce. This is also an explaination of the divorce pattern of 70% of petitions coming from women. Feminists would also state that the impact in feminist ideas have resulted in an increase in divorce, rates as it gives women more of a sense of economical independance, and also influences them to turn away from marriage, which is said by feminists to be a patriachal institution.
Changes in the law since 1969 have resulted in an increase of divorce rates. The grounds for divorce were widened, and instead of compulsary relationship counselling, a divorce was accesible due to the 'irretrievable breakdown' of the marriage, along with this, the cost of divorce was made cheaper and easier, this gives people the freedom to leave a marriage which they do not

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