There are many factors why family and household patterns have become more diverse in the United Kingdom since the end of the Second World War;
There are many factors why family and household patterns have become more diverse in the United Kingdom since the end of the Second World War; this is due to the changes in our value and laws, which will be explained in detail in this essay plan. In the UK, there are many diverse family structures, which were not heard of prior to the Second World War. The different family structures are: The nuclear familyThe extended family The lone parent familySame sex familyThe reconstituted familyThe household familyThe cohabitating family The UK’s values and laws are changing, which is why we have such diversity. Divorce reform act 1971: this bought in ‘irretrievable breakdown’ this meant divorce cases in England and Wales rose considerably between 1971-1987. In 1961, approximately two people
divorced per every thousand people in the UK, in 1987, this figure rose to approximately 12 per thousand. It has also become cheaper to become divorce on average around £13000 per divorce. Divorce has now become more socially acceptable. Divorce used to carry a “stigma,” ‘People these days are far less likely to put up with empty shell marriages (Fulcher, J & Scott, J (1999).)’ Remarriages rose by about a third between 1971 and 1972, following the introduction of the Divorce Reform Act 1969 in England and Wales, and then levelled off. In 2007, 88,010 marriages were remarriages for one ...
This is a preview of the whole essay
divorced per every thousand people in the UK, in 1987, this figure rose to approximately 12 per thousand. It has also become cheaper to become divorce on average around £13000 per divorce. Divorce has now become more socially acceptable. Divorce used to carry a “stigma,” ‘People these days are far less likely to put up with empty shell marriages (Fulcher, J & Scott, J (1999).)’ Remarriages rose by about a third between 1971 and 1972, following the introduction of the Divorce Reform Act 1969 in England and Wales, and then levelled off. In 2007, 88,010 marriages were remarriages for one or both parties accounting for 38 per cent of all marriages. This led to a rise in lone parents, family reconstitution, and cohabitating family.With over 170 distinct religions counted in the 2001 Census, the religious make-up of the UK is highly diverse, in 1964, 74% of the British public belonged to a religion and attended services, and then in 2005 this dropped to 31%. People do not feel the need to marry in a church. Since 1992, there have been more civil ceremonies in England and Wales than religious ceremonies. In 2007, civil ceremonies accounted for 67 per cent of all ceremonies, which is an increase from 61 per cent in 1997. This also led to lone parents, cohabitation and the same sex family as this is no longer looked upon as a “sin” or as an “evil act.” This led to a rise in same sex families, divorce, the cohabitating family, reconstituted families, and the lone parent family. Also there is a high amount of immigration in the UK; ONS figures show this has increased to 6.5 million, a rise of more than two million in seven years. The increase in the number of South Asian families in UK has contributed to an increase in the number of extended families. West Indian households in UK tend to have a higher number of lone parent families headed by the mother than other ethnic groups this also leads to cultural and religious diversity.In modern society, women are viewed mostly equal to men. This is due to the sex discrimination act 1975 and the equal pay act 1970; these laws were introduced to eradicate sexist views of women and men. Women began to gain greater freedom through this legislation and changing attitudes, which then led to women’s choice over contraception, abortion. More women went out to work giving them greater financial independence and freedom. Women now initiate most divorces. This led to a rise in divorce, reconstituted families, lone parent family and the cohabitating family.Sexual liberation started in the 1960’s and carried through to the 1970’s which led to a more liberal and tolerant society, because the 1950’s were so severe many young people rebelled this was linked to the growing acceptance of drugs and greater sexual freedom. People then became more tolerant of homosexuality, divorce and other family structures because of this people no longer feared what others may say. This led to a rise in homosexuality and same sex families.Women now have higher expectations, women expect to be treat equally to men, we want to be happy in relationships, most women have become the decision makers in relationships, women now want to have careers, women have power over what they do, whether they marry, or have children. This led to a rise in divorce, reconstituted families, lone parent family, and the cohabitating family. The evidence presented shows that there is not one typical family type in UK and that are many contributing factors to why UK is such a diverse country.