Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the main reason for the increase in serial monogamy in modern times?
What is the main reason for the increase in serial monogamy in modern times?
Which of the following statements about remarriages in the UK is TRUE?
Which of the following statements about remarriages in the UK is TRUE?
Which demographic factor contributes to the number of marriages in a given period?
Which demographic factor contributes to the number of marriages in a given period?
What is the primary reason for the decline in the overall marriage rate in modern industrial societies?
What is the primary reason for the decline in the overall marriage rate in modern industrial societies?
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What is the 'baby boom generation'?
What is the 'baby boom generation'?
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What is the main implication of an aging population on marriage statistics?
What is the main implication of an aging population on marriage statistics?
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Which of the following is NOT a factor contributing to the decline in marriage rates in modern industrial societies?
Which of the following is NOT a factor contributing to the decline in marriage rates in modern industrial societies?
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What is 'serial monogamy'?
What is 'serial monogamy'?
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Which of the following is a factor that has been cited as contributing to the increase in cohabitation in recent years?
Which of the following is a factor that has been cited as contributing to the increase in cohabitation in recent years?
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What is the main argument put forward by Beck (1992) regarding the decline in marriage rates?
What is the main argument put forward by Beck (1992) regarding the decline in marriage rates?
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Which of the following is NOT a reason cited for the increase in divorce rates during the 20th century?
Which of the following is NOT a reason cited for the increase in divorce rates during the 20th century?
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What does the term 'empty shell marriage' refer to?
What does the term 'empty shell marriage' refer to?
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What is the main argument put forward by Gillis (1985) regarding cohabitation?
What is the main argument put forward by Gillis (1985) regarding cohabitation?
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Which of the following is NOT a reason cited for the increase in cohabitation?
Which of the following is NOT a reason cited for the increase in cohabitation?
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According to the content, what is the main reason why marriage rates have declined in recent years?
According to the content, what is the main reason why marriage rates have declined in recent years?
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What is the main difference between 'romantic love' and 'confluent love' as described in the context of marriage?
What is the main difference between 'romantic love' and 'confluent love' as described in the context of marriage?
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Which of the following is a factor that can lead to a decline in divorce rates?
Which of the following is a factor that can lead to a decline in divorce rates?
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What is one of the main challenges in using statistics to understand trends in cohabitation?
What is one of the main challenges in using statistics to understand trends in cohabitation?
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What is the main argument put forward by Smart and Stevens (2000) regarding the increase in cohabitation?
What is the main argument put forward by Smart and Stevens (2000) regarding the increase in cohabitation?
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Which of the following factors is NOT mentioned as a potential influence on divorce rates?
Which of the following factors is NOT mentioned as a potential influence on divorce rates?
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What is the main reason why divorce rates are more reliable to analyze than divorce numbers?
What is the main reason why divorce rates are more reliable to analyze than divorce numbers?
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What is one of the main reasons why the average age of divorcees has increased?
What is one of the main reasons why the average age of divorcees has increased?
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What is the main argument put forward about the influence of romantic identity on marriage?
What is the main argument put forward about the influence of romantic identity on marriage?
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Flashcards
Marriage Rate
Marriage Rate
The frequency of marriages occurring in a population over a specific period.
Decline in Marriage
Decline in Marriage
A trend showing a reduction in the number of marriages over time.
First Marriages in the UK
First Marriages in the UK
The initial marriage of individuals, which has steadily declined in recent years.
Remarriages
Remarriages
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Serial Monogamy
Serial Monogamy
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Baby Boom
Baby Boom
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Demographic Changes
Demographic Changes
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Peak Periods for Marriage
Peak Periods for Marriage
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Marriageable Population
Marriageable Population
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Decline in Marriage Rates
Decline in Marriage Rates
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Cohabitation
Cohabitation
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Secularisation
Secularisation
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Female Financial Independence
Female Financial Independence
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Empty Shell Marriage
Empty Shell Marriage
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Changing Attitudes to Marriage
Changing Attitudes to Marriage
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Divorce Rates
Divorce Rates
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Divorce Reform Act 1969
Divorce Reform Act 1969
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Confluent Love
Confluent Love
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Romantic Love
Romantic Love
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Legal Changes and Divorce
Legal Changes and Divorce
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Stigma Attached to Divorce
Stigma Attached to Divorce
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Delaying Marriage
Delaying Marriage
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Cohabitation Statistics
Cohabitation Statistics
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Study Notes
Marriage Trends in Industrial Societies
- Marriage rates and numbers have declined in modern industrial societies.
- Later marriage ages and more people choosing not to marry contribute to this.
- Remarriages have increased as a percentage, peaking around the turn of the 21st century and declining recently.
- Serial monogamy (multiple partners lifetime, one at a time) has increased, primarily due to divorce.
Demographic Influences on Marriage
- Marriage rates in the UK spiked after WWII and during the 1970s.
- 'Baby booms' following the war, with shortened time for family completion, led to temporary increases.
- Age cohorts (groups) and their size influence marriage frequency. Increased numbers in a marriageable age group creates more marriage.
- A larger elderly population in the UK, like many industrial societies, affects marriage figures.
- Examining the marriageable population shows only a smaller decline in marriage rates over the last 30 years.
Behavioral Influences on Marriage
- Fewer social stigmas surround children outside marriage and reduced societal pressure to marry reduces marriage rates.
- Women's increased financial and career independence impacts their decision to marry.
- Marriage is more of a lifestyle choice than an economic necessity.
- Cohabitation has risen as an alternative—often a precursor to cohabitation.
- Secularization (religion losing influence) and fewer societal pressures contribute to lower marriage rates.
- People now evaluate more objectively the risks and consequences of marriage influenced by divorce rates and outcomes.
Cohabitation
- Reliable cohabitation statistics are more recent (25 years) due to better survey methods.
- Cohabitation rates increased from 10% (1986) to 25% (2006).
- Higher cohabitation among younger couples (25-29) compared to the mid-1990s.
- Proportion of cohabiting couples among all families has risen considerably (from 9% to 15% in the last 10 years).
- Reasons for increased cohabitation include lessened social pressure to marry, falling stigmas, and better birth control.
- Changing attitudes towards marriage, cohabitation as a test before marriage, convenience to separate, and/or feminist views are further factors.
- Cohabiting couples may or may not ultimately marry.
Divorce and Separation
- Divorce rates rose significantly from the early to mid-20th century, peaking in the 1990s.
- There's a decline in divorce rates in recent years but a doubling of re-divorces since 1981.
- Divorced people are getting older due to later average marriage ages.
- Increased marriages/divorces relate to a higher population of eligible/potential marriage partners.
- Divorce statistics are influenced by changes in divorce laws (rules). For example, the 1969 Divorce Reform Act in the UK removed the need for specific 'fault' to justify divorce.
- Secularization, reduced stigma, and greater life expectancy contribute to higher divorce rates.
- Modern ideas about love and commitment factor into divorce—some may romanticize love/marriage which eventually leads to unhappiness.
- Marriage viewed as a personal pursuit of happiness rather than a moral obligation creates expectations with risks of romantic love fading and conflict.
Causes of Divorce
- Easier/cheaper divorce laws lead to more divorces; however, this influences data reliability.
- Reduced reverence for marriage as a sacred institution influences divorce rates.
- Longer marriages due to increased life expectancy might strain relationships, increasing divorce risk.
- Romantic love (unconditional) and confluent love (conditional for a purpose) are increasingly part of the reasons for marriage. Those based on romantic love fall apart due to the fading of this love.
- Individuals seek personal happiness in marriage rather than moral commitment; often divorce is related to an expectation of a marriage experience not happening.
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Description
Explore the evolving patterns of marriage in modern industrial societies through demographic influences and societal changes. This quiz dives into the decline of marriage rates, increasing remarriages, and the impact of age cohorts on marriage frequency. Understand the complexities of serial monogamy and the historical context surrounding these trends.