Page 2: Women's Financial Independence and Feminist Perspectives on Divorce

The second page continues the exploration of factors contributing to the increase in divorce rates Sociology, focusing on women's increasing financial independence and feminist explanations for rising divorce rates.

Women's growing financial independence has been a crucial factor in the rising divorce rate percentage. The page outlines several key changes that have contributed to this independence:

1. Increased female participation in the workforce (53% in 1971 to 67% in 2013)
2. Narrowing of the gender pay gap
3. Improved educational outcomes for girls leading to better career prospects
4. Greater availability of welfare benefits

These changes have significantly reduced women's financial dependence on their husbands, making it more feasible for them to leave unhappy marriages.

Example: A woman with her own income from paid work is more likely to seek divorce if she experiences conflict or a lack of love in her marriage, as she can support herself financially.

The page then delves into feminist explanations for the rising divorce rates Sociology essay. These perspectives highlight several key issues:

1. The dual burden women face in managing both paid work and domestic responsibilities
2. The persistence of patriarchal structures within marriage
3. The concept of women's "triple shift" (paid work, domestic work, and emotional labor)

Vocabulary: Triple shift refers to the three types of work many women are expected to perform: paid employment, domestic chores, and emotional labor within the family.

Hochschild (1997) argues that the home environment often compares unfavorably to the workplace for women, as they feel more valued in their professional roles. This, combined with men's resistance to sharing housework and the reduction in time for emotional work, contributes to higher divorce rates.

The page concludes with a reference to Sigle-Rushton's (2007) research, which suggests that women who bear the dual burden of paid work and domestic responsibilities are more likely to divorce than non-working mothers, except in certain cases.

This comprehensive exploration of the sociological perspectives on divorce provides a nuanced understanding of the complex factors contributing to the rising divorce rates in the UK since the 1950s.