E6K+table+description-+Dominic

This table graph shows the statistics of marriage in Australia in 1981 and 2002. Overall, it can be seen that the number of registered marriage decreased whereas there was an increase in the number of divorces and the percentage of couples who lived together before marriage during 21 years. First of all, the number of registered marriages declined slightly to 105,400 in 2002. This was probably due to the changing role of women in the workplace. Next from 1981 to 2002 there was a steady rise in the number of divorces as same as the percentage of couples who live together before marriage grew dramatically by 31 percent in 2002. In another hand, Average age of registered marriages changed. In 1981, average age of bride was 23.3 years and groom was 25.9 years while in 2002 the averages were 29 years and 31 years. The increase on divorces number could be due to divorces and defacto relationships has become more socially acceptable. Another factor leading to higher divorces is the couples focus on education and careers. They do not want to marry before they have a stable job. In addition, women are more independent than in the past. They can live and take care of their children without a husband after a divorce because of government good policies.