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Sociology A Level Families and Households > Demographic trends > Flashcards

Demographic trends Flashcards

Demographic trends in the UK since 1900: birth rates, death rates, family size, life expectancy, ageing population, and migration and globalisation

1
Q

Demography definition

A

the term used for the study of of the characteristics of human populations such as their size and structure and how these change over time

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2
Q

4 main factors which influence the size of a country’s population

A
  • births
  • deaths
  • immigration
  • emigration
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3
Q

Birth rate definition

A

the number of live births per 1000 of the population each year

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4
Q

Fertility rate definition

A

a general term which is used to describe either the general fertility rate or the total fertility rate

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5
Q

General fertility rate definition

A

the number of live births per 1000 women of child-bearing age (15-44) each year

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6
Q

Total fertility rate definition

A

the average number of children women will have during their child-bearing years. The number of births depends on the total fertility rate and the number of women of child-bearing age

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7
Q

Infant mortality rate definition

A

the number of deaths of babies in their first year of life per 1000 live births per year

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8
Q

Death rate (or mortality rate) definition

A

the number of deaths per 1000 of the population per year

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9
Q

Life expectancy definition

A

an estimate of how long the average person can be expected to live. Estimates of life expectancy can be based on any age, but the most common are life expectancy at birth and at 1 year

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10
Q

Dependent population definition

A

that section of the population which is not in work and is supported by those who are, such as under-18s (still in school or in training), pensioners, the unemployed and others living on welfare benefits
The dependent age groups are those under age 18 in compulsory education and those over retirement age

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11
Q

Migration definition

A

changing the country of usual residence for a period of at least a year, so that the country of destination effectively becomes the country of usual residence

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12
Q

Immigration definition

A

entering another country for a period of at least a year so that country becomes the one of usual residence

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13
Q

Emigration definition

A

leaving the usual country of residence for another country for a period of at least a year, so that the country of destination becomes the one of usual residence

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14
Q

Net migration definition

A

the difference between immigration and emigration, and therefore whether the population of a country or area has gone up or gone down when both emigration an immigration are taken into account. Net migration is usually expressed in terms of a net gain or increase (+) or a net loss or decrease (-) of population

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15
Q

Natural population change definition

A

changes in the size of population due to changes in the number of births and deaths, excluding migration. Expressed as a natural increase (+) or decrease (-) in population

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16
Q

Population projections definition

A

predictions of future changes in population size and composition based on past and present population trends

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17
Q

Globalisation definition

A

the growing interconnectedness of societies across the world, with the spread of the same culture, consumer goods and economic ideology across the globe

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18
Q

Migration - push and pull factors

A
  • push factors include things like escaping poverty, war, famines, lack of jobs and persecution - 11% of immigrants to the UK are asylum seekers (2023, gov)
  • pull factors include things like job opportunities, study, higher standard of living, better healthcare and education, more political and religious freedom and joining family
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19
Q

Undocumented workers definition

A

those who do not have the official documents that are needed to enter, live in or work in a country legally. Commonly referred to as ‘illegal immigrants’

20
Q

The UK joined the EU in 1973

A
  • in 2004 Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia joined
  • in 2007 Romania and Bulgaria joined
21
Q

Effects of globalisation on demography in the UK

A
  • more immigration from the EU (38% of all immigrants in 2014)
  • more undocumented immigrants (could be up to 1.2 mil in UK currently - gov)
  • more asylum seekers (67000 applications last year)
  • greater cultural diversity
  • changing families - Chambers (2014) suggests that globalisation has led to global family networks as migrants keep in touch with family and increase in surrogate mothers and spouses from abroad and the ‘purchase of intimacy’ eg carers from elsewhere
22
Q

Pattern of migration 1900-2000

A
  • 1930-1945 thousands of (mostly white) refugees fled to Britain to escape Nazi occupation
  • 1950s and 60s the New Commonwealth began with immigrants from the Caribbean in the 50s them from India, Bangladesh Pakistan, Uganda and Kenya in the 60s and 70s - encouraged to immigrate by recruiting teams to solve unskilled labour shortages
  • increased ethnic diversity in the UK - 17% of population in 2021 census weren’t white
23
Q

Pattern of migration 2000s onwards

A
  • increased migration from Eastern Europe as more countries joined the EU (temporary controls over immigration from these places but they ended in 2014)
  • Net migration 2023 was between 200,000 and 300,000 (Oxford University)
  • in 2013, 15% of immigrants were British citizens returning to the UK, 40% were EU citizens, 15% were from the New Commonwealth (India, Pakistan, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Sierra Leone etc) and 10% were from the Old Commonwealth (Australia, New Zealand, Canada and South Africa)`
24
Q

Impact of migration since 2001

A
  • growing fear and distrust of immigrants have led to creation and growing success of anti-immigration parties and policies (UKIP, Rwanda plan etc)
  • migrant workers make valuable contributions to the economy and the workforce (inc healthcare etc)
  • most EU countries now have strict immigration policies eg UK immigrants must earn at least £29,000 a year for their partner to receive a VISA (almost £9000 more than full time minimum wage)
25
Q

Natural population change in the UK

A
  • since 1900 the population of the UK has grown overall from about 38 million to about 67 million (includes migration)
  • since 1900 the birth and death rates have both continually fallen leading to slower population growth
  • the life expectancy has also increased a lot since 1900
  • there have been some periods of great population growth - ‘baby booms’ after wars and in 60s early 2000s and during COVID
26
Q

in 1902 the death rate was 18 per 1000

A

in 2011 it was 8.7

27
Q

in 1902 the infant mortality rate was 142 per 1000 live births

A

in 2021 it was 3.7

28
Q

in 1900 the birth rate per 1000 people was 26

A

in 2022 it was 11

29
Q

in 1900 male life expectancy at birth was 45 for men and 49 for women

A

in 2022 it was 79 for men and 83 for women

30
Q

Explanations for the changes in the death rate, infant mortality rate and life expectancy since 1900

A
  • improved hygiene, sanitation and medicine
  • higher living standards
  • public health and welfare
  • health education
  • improved working conditions
31
Q

Explanations for the changes in the death rate, infant mortality rate and life expectancy since 1900 - improved hygiene, sanitation and medicine

A
  • public hygiene and sanitation have improved greatly eg construction of public sewer systems and provision of clean running water
  • improved public awareness of health and causes of infection
  • eliminated diseases such as cholera, diphtheria and typhoid
  • McKeown (1976) - these improvements in environment, together with higher living standards and better diet were more important than medicine in wiping out these diseases
  • there have been advances in medicine and science (penicillin, antibiotics, surgeries etc) which prevent people from dying from previously deadly diseases
32
Q

Explanations for the changes in the death rate, infant mortality rate and life expectancy since 1900 - higher living standards

A
  • as McKeown suggests, rising living standards have reduced death rates
  • higher wages, better food, more amenities and appliances, improved housing (less damp, toilets, running hot water) improve health
  • improved transportation and food technology mean a wider range of nutritious food is available with improved storage options like freezing meaning fresh fruit and veg is available year-round
33
Q

Explanations for the changes in the death rate, infant mortality rate and life expectancy since 1900 - public health and welfare

A
  • welfare state was established in 1948
  • NHS provides free and comprehensive healthcare with antenatal and postnatal care preventing deaths in childbirth
  • wide range of social care including care homes for the elderly
34
Q

Explanations for the changes in the death rate, infant mortality rate and life expectancy since 1900 - health education

A
  • growing awareness of nutrition and health
  • improved education has led to a more informed public
  • websites provide guidance on health, exercise and diet (eg NHS online)
35
Q

Explanations for the changes in the death rate, infant mortality rate and life expectancy since 1900 - improved working conditions

A
  • technology has taken over some of the most dangerous jobs eg in manufacturing
  • higher health and safety standards, shorter working hours and more leisure time have all made working less demanding and risky to health
36
Q

Aging population definition

A

one in which the average age is getting higher, with a greater proportion of the population over retirement age and less young people

37
Q

in 1901, 33% of the population was under 15 and 4% was over 65

A

in 2015, 18% were under 15 and 18% were over 65

38
Q

Consequences of an aging population

A
  • Spijker and MacInnes (1993) point out that the ageing population is not necessarily a problem because rising life expectancy means the elderly are more independent and ‘useful’ to society
  • in 2011 the law changed so people no longer had to retire at 65 and Lawton (2013) points out that this gives older people the freedom to work longer and promotes their contribution to the economy
39
Q

Advantages of an ageing population

A
  • boost to the economy - Lawton points this out and the power of the ‘grey pound’ (elderly people’s purchasing power)
  • more social cohesion and community involvement - Dept. of media culture and sport found in 2014 that 58% of 65+ volunteer or partake in civil engagement activities
  • less crime as older people tend to commit less crimes
  • family support - Legal and General found in 2013 that grandparents helped working parents with childcare for an average of 8 hours a week
40
Q

Dependency ratio definition

A

the relationship between the proportion of the population who are working and those who are dependent or not working

41
Q

Disadvantages of an ageing population

A
  • growing burden of dependence and the ‘pensions timebomb’ - cost more in government spending and healthcare (60% of prescriptions are for those over 65)
  • more poverty and family hardships due to leaving paid employment (in 2023 18% of pensioners lived in poverty)
  • loss of skill and experience from labour force
  • more pensioner one-person households - might lead to growing dependence on family
  • more ill-health and disability - rising NHS costs
  • family stress
  • more work for women - typically play the carer role in families
  • housing shortages as older people occupy their homes for longer
42
Q

in 1900 the birth rate in the UK was 29 per 1000

A

and in 2012 it was 13

43
Q

in 1961 women on average had 2.8 children

A

but in 2012 this was 1.92

44
Q

in 1900 the average family had 6 dependent children

A

and in 2012 it was around 1.7

45
Q

Reasons for the decline in birth rate and fertility rate, and for smaller families

A
  • contraception - safe and legal abortion available since 1967, less stigma etc
  • compulsory education - children are no longer an economic asset but a burden
  • rising cost of children - roughly £160,000 to raise a child to 18 (Child Poverty Action group) - pointed out by Hirsch
  • changing position of women - feminism has led to women having different aspirations - Sharpe found change in girls from wanting to be mothers and wives in the 70s to wanting a career in the 90s, and McRobbie pointed out that the aspiration for motherhood has mostly been replaced by career aspiration - women are having less children and having them later to avoid career impacts
  • declining infant mortality rate - parents used to have more children in case some died
  • geographically mobile labour force - smaller families can move easily for jobs
  • changing values - emphasis on independence, consumerism and individualisation

Sociology A Level Families and Households (6 decks)

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