The theme of marriage and divorce is quite relevant today since, judging by the prevailing world trend, an increasing number of couples prefer to break off relations rather than seek ways to reconcile. The purpose of this report is to analyse divorce statistics in England and Wales for the period of 2015-2016 to draw competent conclusions about the frequency of this phenomenon. The statistical data presented in the general access and the analysis of the investigated information will be used. In the process of research, it is planned to find some regularity or, on the contrary, to refute the statement that the tendency of increasing the number of divorces exists. As a rationale, official information is used. Data can be applied to further research and as a theoretical justification for the existing problem. Any predictions regarding the development of further situations are impossible because divorce as a social phenomenon is rather difficult to predict. Nevertheless, on the basis of the received statistics, it is possible to draw accurate conclusions. It is assumed that the problem will be considered completely on the basis of visual information. Tables and diagrams are auxiliary elements of the report to accurately present the found information.
Data Tables
Table 1. Statistics and divorce rates in different couples in 2015-2016.
Diagrams and Calculations
According to the information in Figure 1, for one more, the number of divorces in 2016 the number of divorces in opposite-sex couples in 2016 increased by more than five thousand compared with 2015 (Divorces in England and Wales: 2016, 2017).
As it can be seen from Figure 2, the number of divorces in same-sex couples in 2015 was equal to twenty-two (Divorces in England and Wales: 2015, 2017). In 2016, this indicator increased by more than five times.
According to Figure 3, the male divorce rate for opposite-sex couples in 2015 in a scale of 1,000 marriages was 8.5, which is 8.7% lower than in 2014 (Divorces in England and Wales: 2015, 2017). However, in 2016, this indicator increased to 8.9/1000 marriages (Divorces in England and Wales: 2016, 2017).
According to Figure 4, the female divorce rate for opposite-sex couples in 2015-2016 was the same as the male one: 8.5/1000 – 8.9/1000; the information from the official website proves that this indicator did not change (User guide to divorce statistics, 2017).
Commentary, Analysis and Interpretation
When paying attention to these statistics, it is possible to see that in some cases, the situation for one year significantly changed. For example, the number of divorces in opposite-sex couples over the period under review increased by almost six thousand, which suggests a trend towards an increase in this social phenomenon. According to the official site, this information is documented, which also indicates the validity of these data (User guide to divorce statistics, 2017). If the received figure increases in the same volume as for 2015-2016, by the end of 2018, the indicator will have been about one hundred and eighteen thousand. However, at the moment, it is too early to draw such conclusions since the official data have not been submitted yet.
The analysis of the obtained information can also indicate that the tendency to increase the number of divorces is relevant to not only opposite-sex but also same-sex couples. It, in its turn, allows concluding that there is a general orientation towards a break in relations. The percentage of divorces of different sexes who were the initiators of divorce also increased during the period under review. Despite the fact that the total number, at a glance, insignificantly increased (from 8.5 to 8.9), this percentage is rather large. It means that in 2016, approximately nine men and nine women per thousand favoured a break in relations (Divorces in England and Wales: 2016, 2017). Judging by the diagrams, in none of the cases considered there is a decrease in indicators. Nevertheless, judging by the information on the official site, these figures were less than those that had been relevant several years before (Divorces in England and Wales: 2015, 2017). Consequently, such data make it possible to say that the tendency to increase the number of divorces is certainly present.
Data Collection Process and Issues
The information collected by researchers in the process of studying the issue of divorce in England and Wales is undoubtedly valuable from the sociological point of view. Despite the fact that scientists might have had some difficulties in analysing the data, their contribution to the study of this issue is significant enough. One of the complexities, as Mikolai and Kulu (2018) note, is the need to analyse data from several sources because online resources cannot always be considered reliable. The need to collect such information certainly required a detailed study of the archives and reports that needed to be processed to carry out a comprehensive statistical analysis.
Perhaps, the authors of the initial study could have had difficulties in contacting with people who experience the divorce process. According to Birditt, Wan, Orbuch, and Antonucci (2017), tensions often arise between former spouses, which can even develop into hatred and aggression. In order to avoid anger, the researchers probably had to act cautiously and at the same time sought to obtain the most accurate information. Judging by the presented statistics, they were able to collect very detailed information, which indicates their professionalism.
Conclusion
Thus, making conclusions concerning the analysed data, it is possible to claim that diagrams are quite good elements to assess specific information and compare some data. Judging by the study, there is a tendency of increasing the number of divorces in England and Wales in 2015-2016. The results of the analysis confirm that there is some growth in the indicators. In the process of analysing the statistics, the question arose about the current indicators that are not specified in the official report. Based on this fact, additional research can be required, which will affect the figures of the previous year of 2017. If not two but three-time intervals are compared, it will help to make an even more complete and theoretically-based picture and find an obvious tendency that is connected with the issue of divorce.
References
Birditt, K. S., Wan, W. H., Orbuch, T. L., & Antonucci, T. C. (2017). The development of marital tension: Implications for divorce among married couples. Developmental Psychology, 53(10), 1995-2006.
Divorces in England and Wales: 2015. (2017). Web.
Divorces in England and Wales: 2016. (2017). Web.
Mikolai, J., & Kulu, H. (2018). Short-and long-term effects of divorce and separation on housing tenure in England and Wales. Population Studies, 72(1), 17-39.
User guide to divorce statistics. (2017). Web.