Examine the Changes in the Patterns of Childbearing and Childrearing in the Uk Since the 1970s

d) First of all, over four in every ten children are now born outside marriage. This is five times more than in 1971. However, nearly all these births were registered by both parents. In most cases, the parents are cohabitating. One reason for this increase in births outside marriage may be the decline in stigma and increase in cohabitation. For example, only one-third of 18-24 year olds now think marriage should come before parenthood. Secondly, women now have fewer children than in the 1970s. For example, in 2001 the average number of children per women fell to a record low of 1.63. This change in pattern is due to women having children at a later age for reasons such as wanting a career before starting a family. Because of the change in the position of women even over the last 40 years, women now have many more options than just motherhood. They are more independent, and aren’t seen as simply ‘homemakers’ anymore. This is also the reason why many women remain completely childless. Its predicted that a quarter of those born in 1973 will be childless when they reach the age of 45, and this change in pattern is mostly due to woman seeking to establish themselves in a career.

Another change in pattern is the number of lone-parent families. Lone-parent families now make up 24% of all families, so one in four children live in this family type. The number of lone-parent families has increased due to the increase in divorce and separation, and more recently, the increase in the number of never-married women having children. This is linked to the decline in stigma attached to births outside marriage. Most lone-parents families are female-headed (90% of them). This may be due to the widespread believe that women are by nature suited to a nurturing role; the fact that divorce courts usually give custody of children to the mothers and the fact that men may be less willing that women to give up work to care for children. This may also be due mothers being single by...