falling birth rates & fertility rates Flashcards
Main trends of birth rates
- There have been incidents of baby booms’ during the 1920s and 1940s as a result of the world wars
- also there was another baby boom present in the 1960s as a result of the sexual revolution which involved the challenging of the typical traditional codes related to relationships within the western world - it included increased acceptance of sex outside marriage - this therefore caused a significant increase in birth rate
However as time has progressed birth and fertility rate have declined significantly since 1990
Factors resulting in the fall in birth and fertility rates - economic
Economic aspects - historically children were regarded as an economic asset as they were able to provided for the family business and support the family unit
However now, they are seen as an economic liability as the cost of raising children has increased significantly from the 1900’s to present day
The minimum school leaving age rose from 14 in 1918 to 16 in 1973
Also growing numbers if young people are going in to further and higher education
- therefore children are economically dependent on their parents for a longer period of time than previously as they are unable to go out and work as they are studying for a longer period of time.
This economic dependency is further illustrated by statistics from building societies and insurance companies who found that on average, the cost of raising and child and supporting them through university is £180,000 in 2006 a rise of 28% over the past four years
Furthermore a study by skipton building society in 2006 reported that 20% of respondents said that they would ‘remain childless because of the cost of a child’
While another 20% who already had children said that they would not have any more because they could not afford it’s
This therefore suggests that children are becoming economically dependent on their parent in terms of their needs as they have to provide them with clothes, food, school resources, a warm well heated home, electricity and perhaps the cost of university - therefore financially children are becoming more if a liabiltyand simply a social asset.
Fall in BR and FR as they will be seen as an economic burden
Changing opportunities for women in society
Because of the expanding educational and occupational opportunities for women in society it has resulted in a decline in birth and fertility rates
- there has been a gradual increase in the number of female undergraduates from 1970 to 2000
Also the proportion of women in paid employment has all increased from 56% to 70%
This therefore suggests that women have alternative focuses in life such as a career than simply being considered child bearers and housewives - this may result in women having children later or not at all -reducing BR & FR
Changing attitudes of women
Women’s priorities are changing - indicated by Sue Sharpe’s study which investigated girls in London schools found that the girls in the 1970s main priorities were love, marriage and a family
However by the 1990s their priorities had changed to a job, career and financial independence
This suggests that women are no longer prioritising having children and are becoming increasingly focused on a career and economic self sufficiency - resulting in a decline in BR & FR
The decline in infant mortality rates
Previously couples had many insurance births in fear that some may die in infancy - however this is much rarer today - supported by statistics - in 1990 15% of babies born died before their first birthday however today this is less than 5%
The decline in IMR has been as a result of improved healthcare, paediatricians who specialise in the care of children, increased awareness of the nutrition necseeary for the health of babies and mothers, preventing smoking and drinking during pregnancy and increased immunisations of mothers during pregnancy to prevent specific diseases.
Also there is increased post and anti natal care through clinics and hospitals
Therefore resulting in a reduced likelihood of infanticide, which results in couples having less children as they are more likely to survive.
Families becoming more child centred
Many sociologists have argued that families are becoming increasing child centred, than they were in the past - life now revolves around children and their interests and welfare.
Parents have an increased involvement in the childrens lives through education, their activities and their overall welfare
This may result in women being less likely to have alot, or any children as the children are going to be seen as the centre of the family and therefore require a large amount of attention and time which some families may not be able to provide - consequently resulting in a decline in BR & FR
Generic points for a small mark question on why have BIRTH RATES declined:
- fall in infant mortality rates therefore couples are less likely to have as many children in fear that some may not survive.
- change in women’s priorities and attitudes - from previously being focused on marriage and family they are now focused on educational and occupational opportunities and wanting a stable career and financika independence.
- cost of raising children has increased - financial burden
Generic points for why FERTILITY RATES have declined:
- Increased availabity and access to contraception such as the pill, this has enabled women to control their fertility and whether they want children.
- increase access to family planning, this enabled women to decide when they have children and again have control over their fertility.
