2.2 - Childbearing and life course (Changing Patterns)

Question 1

What are the trends for childbearing? (2)

Answer 1

• 2.65 (1964) -> 1.08 (2001) average kids

- Decrease form from 1943

Question 2

Why are women having fewer children with description (4)

Answer 2

Contraception - control number of kids and when

Reproductive technologies - IVF, freezing eggs

Career success - Climb career ladder

Economic reasons - Takes a long time to buy a house. Need economic stability

Question 3

Are all women having fewer kids?

Answer 3

No - BME have more kids at a younger age

Question 4

Trends for lone parent families (3)

Answer 4

24% of all families
90% headed by women
x2 likely to be in poverty

Question 5

4 reasons for an increase in lone parent families and description

Answer 5

Decline in stigma

Renuase - professional women can support child without help from dad

Cashmore - some WC mums chose to live in welfare benefits without help from dad

Equal rights - feminism

Question 6

Why are lone parent families usually headed by women? (2)

Answer 6

Courts prefer mum

Present at birth

Question 7

Trends for step-families (3)

Answer 7

10% of all families with children

86% have one or child from woman’s previous relationship

More at risk at poverty (Fern and Smith)

Question 8

4 reasons for trends in step families

Answer 8

Pure relationship
Decline in stigma
Religion
Law - divorce