’Assess Sociological Explanations of Changes in the Rate of Divorce’’

‘’Assess sociological explanations of changes in the rate of divorce’’

Over the past sixty to seventy years divorce rates have begun to increase; this is mainly due to changes in the law, positions of women in society and even expectations of marriage. Sociologists have had an interest in the increase of divorce as it has shown changes to family patterns i.e. diverse families such as lone parent families, same sex families as well as extended families. Additionally divorce rates have increased because laws such as the legal Aid act has helped women who could not afford divorces get one.

Divorce rates have increased much more recently as there have been many changes in the law. It has become much easier for both sexes to apply for a divorce, making it fairer. Making divorces cheaper has also been a factor as to why divorce rates have changed. The legal aid act has encouraged and supported more women to divorce their husbands if they were unable to afford it.

In today’s society attitudes towards divorce has changed. In the past many people frowned upon divorces and it wasn’t as common for a man and woman to end their marriage. There have been more declines in stigma as divorce has become more socially accepted and isn’t seen as such a bad thing anymore. Ronald Fletcher who was a functionalist believed that people value marriage more and so people only seek divorces if their marriages are unsatisfactory.

It is becoming more common to decline religion in our society, many people tend to have less religious marriages and choose ceremonies. Not many people have religious influences in their loves therefore when it comes to divorce their faith is not influenced by as religion

We have begun to see a change in women’s roles in society. Because women are much more dependent on themselves it has become another factor for increases in divorce rates. Feminists would argue that the divorce rate is desirable; they would also argue that women are beginning to...