Divorce and remarriage
Dramatic rise in divorce rates and remarriage creating blended families and changing family experience, though remaining contentious morally and legally.
Real World
England and Wales saw divorce rates peak after the Divorce Reform Act 1969 made 'irretrievable breakdown' sufficient grounds, replacing fault-based divorce and removing a key legal barrier for trapped spouses.
Exam Focus
Distinguish causes of rising divorce (secularisation, women's independence) from consequences (reconstituted families) — examiners reward this separation.
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