Contents
Chapter 1: Marriage
The state of the UK’s relationships
1
Europe’s marriage gap between rich and poor
2
Marriages and civil partnerships in the UK
3
Religious vs civil marriage: untangling the knot
5
Humanist weddings continue to surge in number, bucking national trend
6
Why have a church wedding if you haven’t a shred of Christian belief?
7
“Some people don’t like the phrase man and wife” – the campaign for equal civil partnerships
8
Humanists in England and Wales call for legal humanist weddings as Scottish Parliament officially
recognises humanist ceremonies for marriage provision in law
10
Discrimination against same-sex couples denied religious marriage is endemic, says York academic
Could ten-year relationship contracts replace life-long marriage
12
The majority of wedding traditions are still popular, but don’t ask the bride’s family to pay
13
Prenups: only for the rich?
14
Common-law marriage
15
Common-law marriage myth highlights desperate need for reform
16
UK cohabitees have greater financial risk, as confusion reigns over legal and benefit entitlements
17
How to make a Living Together Agreement
19
Forced marriage
20
Criminalising forced marriage has not helped its victims
22
Chapter 2: Divorce
The haven for honeymooners where everyone gets divorced
24
British families among most unstable in the developed world
25
Does religion help couples stay together?
26
Staying in an unhappy marriage “is for the best”
27
A guide to the divorce process in England and Wales
28
2.87 million people across UK in distressed relationships
29
The nine most common reasons couples get divorced
30
Divorce can be nobody’s fault – the law should do more to recognise that
31
MPs need to get behind no-fault divorce if they’re serious about reducing family conflict
32
Digital divorce – how soon?
33
Tips for a stress-free divorce
34
Parents who share family time at meals are less likely to get divorced
35
Help for children and young adults
36
My parents are separating: young people’s experiences
37
“What should I have done differently?” A conversation with my son about divorce
38
Key facts
40
Glossary
41
Assignments
42
Index
43
Acknowledgements
44
