Marriage, divorce and cohabitation Cambridge IGCSE Sociology revision
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In plain words
In many countries, fewer people marry than their grandparents did, they do it later, and more of them divorce. None of this means that people have stopped wanting a partner. It means the rules, and the reasons, have changed.
8 things to know
- The patterns in many societies: fewer marriages, later marriages, more divorce, and more cohabitation, which is living together as a couple without being married. The patterns are not the same everywhere.
- Legislation: changes in the law have made divorce easier, quicker and cheaper to obtain, and available to women on equal terms with men.
- Societal attitudes and values: divorce and cohabitation now carry less stigma, which means less shame. People also expect more from marriage, so they are less willing to stay in an unhappy one.
- The role of the internet: people can meet partners online, from a far wider circle. It is also easier to find information about ending a marriage.
- Secularisation is the decline in the influence of religion. Where it has happened, fewer people see marriage as a sacred bond for life, and there is less disapproval of divorce and cohabitation.
- Cultural expectations: in many communities marriage is still strongly expected and divorce is disapproved of. That is why trends differ between societies and between groups.
- Changes in the status and power of women: with education and their own income, women do not need to marry for financial security, and can afford to leave an unhappy marriage.
- Alternatives to marriage: cohabitation, whether as a step before marriage or instead of it. Singlehood, which is choosing to stay single. Lone parenthood. Civil partnerships, which in some countries give a couple legal rights similar to those of marriage.
Worked example
A country changes its law so that a couple can divorce without either having to prove that the other was at fault. The number of divorces doubles. Does this mean that marriages became unhappier?
- Not necessarily. The law changed how easy divorce is, not how happy couples are.
- Many unhappy couples who could not divorce before can now do so. Their marriages were empty shells.
- So the rise shows unhappiness that was already there, now made visible.
- Legislation is one cause among several, alongside changing attitudes and the position of women.
Tips and tricks
- A rising divorce rate does not prove that marriage is less valued. Many divorced people marry again, which is serial monogamy.
- Use at least three of the syllabus factors in any answer on changing patterns: the law, attitudes, secularisation, the internet, cultural expectations, the position of women.
It lands in your notebook with its questions as flashcards.
Marriage, divorce and cohabitation: 5 questions and answers
These are the quiz’s questions. Do the quiz first, then come back here for the ones that got you.
What is secularisation?
It weakens the idea that marriage is sacred and for life.
What does stigma mean?
Divorce carries less stigma than it once did.
What is a civil partnership?
It is available in some countries.
How has legislation affected divorce?
When the law changes, the numbers change.
Why do trends in marriage and divorce differ between societies?Stretch
Where marriage is strongly expected and divorce disapproved of, the trends are weaker.
Quiz
5 questions
Tap an answer and you’ll see straight away whether it’s right, and why.
Worksheet
3 questions, 10 marks. Write your answers on paper, then check them.
Marriage, divorce and cohabitation
Cambridge IGCSE Sociology 0495 · 10 marks · papermunch.org
Name ______________________________ Date ______________
What is meant by the term "cohabitation"?[2]
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A couple living together in a relationship without being married.
Explain two reasons for the increase in divorce in many societies.[4]
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Any two, each explained: changes in the law have made divorce easier and cheaper; there is less stigma attached to divorce; secularisation means fewer people see marriage as sacred; women's financial independence lets them leave unhappy marriages; people have higher expectations of marriage.
Explain how changes in the position of women have affected marriage.[4]
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Women are more likely to be educated and to have their own income. They no longer need marriage for financial security, so some marry later or not at all. Women who are unhappy in a marriage can afford to leave it, which has contributed to higher divorce rates.
Answers: Marriage, divorce and cohabitation
- 1. A couple living together in a relationship without being married.
- 2. Any two, each explained: changes in the law have made divorce easier and cheaper; there is less stigma attached to divorce; secularisation means fewer people see marriage as sacred; women's financial independence lets them leave unhappy marriages; people have higher expectations of marriage.
- 3. Women are more likely to be educated and to have their own income. They no longer need marriage for financial security, so some marry later or not at all. Women who are unhappy in a marriage can afford to leave it, which has contributed to higher divorce rates.