demography 3 Flashcards
(30 cards)
What does birth rate mean?
This means the number of live births per thousand of the population per year.
What does total fertility rate mean?
This is the average number of children for women in their childbearing years (15-44).
What does infant mortality rate mean?
This means the number of infants who die before their first birthday per 1000 live births.
What are the 4 reasons for a decline in birth rates?
- Changes in the position of women.
- Decline in the infant mortality rate.
- Children have become an economic liability.
- Child centredness.
Describe the change in women’s position.
In the 20th century:
- Women gained legal equality with men and increased educational opportunities.
- More women in paid employment, laws outlawing unequal pay and sex discrimination.
- Changes in attitudes to family life and women’s role.
- Easier access to divorce, abortion and reliable contraception.
What impact has changes in the position of women has on birth rate and family size?
Fewer children because:
- Educated women are more likely to use family planning.
- More women choose to prioritise education and careers before/instead of becoming a wife and mother.
- Many choose to delay childbearing until later life.
- More women choose not to have children.
- Norms have changed. For example, smaller families now seen as the norm.
Describe the change in infant mortality rate.
IMR has fallen because:
- Improved housing conditions and better sanitation.
- Better nutrition and understanding of the link between disease and hygiene.
- Improved health services for pregnant mothers and children, mass immunisation against childhood diseases, medical advances.
Explain the impact fallen infant mortality rate has had on birth rate and family size.
These challenges have led to a fall in birth rate because children are more likely to survive, so parents will have fewer of them as they don’t need to replace the ones they have lost.
Describe the change in children’s position in society.
Children have become economic liabilities. Before the 19th century they were economic assets but since the late 19th century they have become economic liabilities. Due to:
- laws banning child labour
- the introduction of compulsory schooling and the increase to age 18.
- rising costs of raising children.
What impacts have the change in position of children in society has on birth rate and family size?
Smaller family sizes as parents can no longer afford lots of children.
Describe the change in child centredness.
Attitudes towards children have changed. Society is more child-centred meaning it is focused on the needs and wants of children.
Childhood is now seen as a separate and important time in a Childs life so parents are more focused on giving their children the best.
Explain the impact child centredness has had on birth rate and family size?
Smaller family sizes as there has been shift from quantity to quality. This is because parents are choosing to have fewer children but lavish more attention and resources on the few they have.
What are the future trends in birth rates?
Generally, there has been a decline in birth rates BUT since 2001 there has been a slight increase in births. This is due to an increase in immigration. Women from outside the UK have higher fertility rates.
Effects on the family of changes in fertility.
- Small families mean women are more likely to go to work creating the dual burden.
- Small families also contribute to the rise of the beanpole family.
- An increase in those choosing not have children.
Effects of changes in fertility on public services.
Fewer schools, child health and maternity services needed and fewer costs generated by parental leave. Saves tax payers money.
What does the dependency ratio mean?
This is the relationship between working and non working parts of the population.
For example, children are dependent on the earnings and taxes of their parents (working population).
Effects of changes in fertility on the dependnecy ratio.
Fall in birth rates short term reduces the burden of dependency. However, in the long term it means there will be fewer working age people when these children grow up.
In the long term the burden of dependency grows as the dependent population is large compared to working population. May mean workers gave to pay more tax and work for longer.
What does the death rate mean?
The death rate is the number of deaths per thousand of the population per year.
In the Uk the death rate has remained stable, but has fallen since 1900.
How has the decline of infectious diseases impacted the death rate?
TRANTER argues that 3/4 of the decline in deaths from 1850-1970 was dues to the decline in infectious diseases such as diphtheria, typhoid, measles and TB. This mainly reduced deaths in children.
How has improved nutrition impacted the death rate?
McKeown argues nutrition was responsible for half of the reduction in death rate, and particularly important in reducing deaths from TB. Improved nutrition improves the immune system which reduces the chances of dying.
How does medical improvements impact death rate?
After the 50s, medical improvements played a significant role in reducing the number of deaths. Improvements like antibiotics, immunisation, blood transfusion and the foundation of the NHS in 1948 all made reduction to the death rate.
Recently, improved medication, heart bypass techniques have reduced the deaths from heart disease.
How has smoking and diet impacted death rate?
Harper argues the most recent reductions in death rates are largely down to reduction in rates of smoking. Obesity has risen as a cause of health problems, though medication is often used to control its side effects.
How has public health improvements impacted the death rate?
Introduction of laws to improve public health which led to better housing. Improved sewage disposal methods and the clean air act.
How has a decline in hazardous occupations impacted the death rate?
The decline in dangerous occupations such as mining and heavy industry has reduced the number of workplace accidents and deaths.
