Define divorce and recognise trends in divorce.

To evaluate the reasons why divorce rates have increased.

Examine the consequences of divorce on individuals and society.

Give one word you relate to divorce.

What is the definition of a divorce?

‘A divorce is the legal termination of a marriage’.

Wilson and Kidd, 1998.

How do we measure how many divorces occur each year?

We use something called the divorce rate.

Separation and Empty Shell marriage

Divorce rate means how many people are divorcing per 1,000 of the married population

As you can see, after the introduction of the Divorce Reform Act (1969) in 1971 there was an upsurge in the number of people

filing for a divorce. www.statistics.gov.uk

Divorce has increased over the last century, although not at a steady rate.

The Divorce Reform Act was introduced in 1971. This act

allowed an individual to petition for a divorce on the grounds of

‘irretrievable breakdown of marriage’.

There was a marked peak immediately after 1945, this was partly to do with backlog of divorces which was built up due

to the delay of the Second World War.

1. Changes in society which has made divorce easier and cheaper.

There are two broad reasons for the increase in the divorce rate:

Its easier to get a divorce than a driving licence’ Sir Paul Coleridge.

1857 – divorce was largely open to men and had to be granted by an Act of Parliament, hugely expensive

therefore only the rich could afford it. Remained in place till 1971.

1949 -The Legal Aid and Advice Act provided financial help to those unable to meet the cost of divorce.

1971 – Divorce Reform Act of 1969 grounds for divorce was extended, couple could get divorced after they had been separated for 2 years, and neither partner had to prove ‘fault’.

1977 – the rule that every divorce had to go through the courts was scrapped.

1984 –Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act the amount of time before application for divorce was reduced from 3 to 1 year.

1999 – divorce by filling in a form came in.

2. Changes in society which has made divorce more practical and socially acceptable.

1. The changing role of women

2. Rising expectations of marriage

3. Growing secularization

4. Changing social attitude

5. The greater availability of, and more effective

contraception

6. The growth of the privatised nuclear family

7. The reduced functions of the family

8. Increase life expectancy

You have 15 minutes to create a short explanation for why each factor has led to an increase in divorce.

Approximately 40% of all couples that marry will in the U.K will get divorce.

In 1931, less than 4,000 people got divorced.

In 2004 the number of divorces reached their peak at 165,000.

In 2009 the rate fell to 113,949 but rose to 119,589 in 2010 a rise of 4.9%.

Although divorce rates are rising there are many divorcees who are remarrying.

Official statistics show men are more likely to remarry than

women.So why is remarriage popular? So why is remarriage popular?

Those who seek divorce are not rejecting marriage but one particular partner – and they hope by remarrying they can find

happiness. Divorcees with young children may want another

partner to assist in bringing up heir children.

Some people remarry for companionship.

In some society marriage is still seen as a norm and a conventional thing to do.

Divorce can have consequences relating to the alteration of family forms and the affects divorce

can have on the family members, especially children.

For the husband and wife

For the family For the children

Grow up in a happier environment.

Single parenthood can be difficult.

Financial difficulties.

Posi

tive

Neg

ati

ve

Draw out this chart below. In pairs think about the positive and negative consequences of divorce on the different groups.