However, the changes in the law don’t explain the reasons why couples are deciding to file for divorce and so need to consider wider social explanations such as less stigma and patriarchy because the changes in law only are a small factor for divorce; yes, there has been a massive incline because of the legal changes for divorce itself, however people who couldn’t afford divorces years ago would most likely have an empty shell marriage where they still live together but are only married by name only, or perhaps desertion; where one partner leaves the other but is still legally married.
Since 1921, people are much less likely to be stigmatised for divorcing because of shifting social attitudes. Society no longer labels divorce as shameful and instead has become more socially acceptable and couples are therefore more willing to get divorced. The reason for less stigma, is because of secularisation- as religion and the church loose their influence and less people are listening to them, stigma declines as they cannot condemn it as they had done in the past. In addition, some churches are more tolerant of divorce, which makes it more acceptable, but a large majority will still reject re-marrying divorcees.
Patriarchy is another reason why the divorce rate has increased since 1921. Radical feminists claim that patriarchy is the main cause of divorce and well as the triple shift (paid work, domestic work and emotional work). This leads to dissatisfaction and conflict and explains why 70% of divorces are initiated by women. Feminists believe that divorce is good because women are able to break free from patriarchal relationships and domestic violence. They also say that many women are more aware of oppression and feel that they are able to reject it by getting a divorce. This adds to the change in women’s position as more women are working in highly-paid jobs and means that women are less economically dependent on men and are able to afford a divorce on their own. Item 2b can support this statement: “One reason for women’s increased willingness to seek divorce is that improvements in their economic position have made them less financially dependent on their husband” .This can also create conflict at home because the woman are being treated equally at their workplace, but are treated unequally at home e.g. the triple shift. Postmodernists also say that the high divorce rate indicates that many people are now choosing to end unsatisfactory relationships.
A further reason for the increase in the divorce rate is that people go into marriage with high expectations placed on it and when these expectations aren’t met, couples want to end the marriage. The functionalists explain this as the ‘ideology of love’ that marriage should only be based of love and so when the love dies, there is no reason to remain together. Parsons and Fletcher also argue that the reason for a higher divorce rate is because couples (mainly women) will expect and demand more in their relationships today then perhaps their parents and grandparents.
To conclude, there is no single reason for the increase in the divorce rate, although it may be a reflection that it is a reflection of post-modern society, where people feel that they have more choice and freedom to end an unsatisfactory marriage.
