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Unlock This CourseMarital breakdown refers to the collapse of a marriage relationship, which may or may not end in formal divorce. It represents one of the most significant changes in family structure in modern society and raises important questions about the stability of the family as a social institution.
Key Definitions:
Divorce rates in the UK have changed dramatically over the past century, reflecting wider social changes:
In 1901, there were just 512 divorces in England and Wales.
By 1971, this had risen to 74,000 divorces.
In 2019, there were approximately 108,000 divorces.
However, since 2004, the overall divorce rate has actually been declining slightly.
The Divorce Reform Act 1969 (implemented in 1971) made divorce easier by introducing the concept of 'irretrievable breakdown' as the sole ground for divorce. This led to an immediate spike in divorce rates as people in unhappy marriages could now legally separate.
The Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 (implemented in 2022) introduced 'no-fault divorce' in England and Wales, removing the need to assign blame to one party. This represents a significant shift in how society views marriage breakdown.
Sociologists identify several key factors that contribute to rising divorce rates:
Women's increased economic independence means they're less financially dependent on marriage. Dual-income households also face stress balancing work and family life, creating tension.
Changing attitudes mean divorce carries less stigma. Higher expectations of personal happiness and fulfilment in relationships can lead to disappointment when marriages don't meet these ideals.
Easier divorce processes and legal aid (though now reduced) have made ending marriages more accessible. The introduction of no-fault divorce has further simplified the process.
Functionalists traditionally see high divorce rates as problematic for society. They argue that stable nuclear families perform essential functions for both individuals and society:
From this perspective, high divorce rates indicate that the family is failing to perform these functions effectively, potentially leading to social problems.
Feminist sociologists offer a different interpretation, seeing rising divorce rates as potentially positive:
Radical feminists like Germaine Greer argue that marriage itself is an oppressive institution for women, so its decline may represent progress toward gender equality.
Research by Stephen Jenkins (LSE) found that women's household income falls by around 30% after divorce, while men's drops by just 15%. This 'divorce gap' highlights ongoing economic inequality between genders. Women often face greater financial hardship after divorce because:
The effect of divorce on children is a highly debated topic in sociology:
Some research suggests divorce can lead to:
However, other sociologists argue:
New Right thinkers like Charles Murray view rising divorce rates as evidence of moral decline and family breakdown. They argue that:
Critics of this view point out that it ignores the diversity of family forms and the potential benefits of ending unhappy marriages.
Divorce rates vary significantly around the world, reflecting different cultural, religious and legal contexts:
Countries with the highest divorce rates include Russia, Belarus and the United States.
Countries with the lowest rates include India, Chile and Italy.
These differences reflect varying attitudes toward marriage, religious influences and legal accessibility of divorce.
Increasing numbers of couples now live together without marrying. This means:
Around 22% of UK families with dependent children are single-parent families, with 90% headed by mothers. These families face specific challenges:
However, many single-parent families function effectively with proper support networks and resources.
Higher divorce rates have contributed to the rise of 'serial monogamy' - having several committed relationships in sequence. This creates more complex family structures:
Whether rising divorce rates represent a social problem or simply a change in how we organise family life depends on your sociological perspective:
What's clear is that divorce has become a normal part of family life in contemporary UK society and understanding its causes and consequences is essential for studying the sociology of families.