birth rates Flashcards
has birth rate fallen or increased?
fallen
what is the definition of birth rate?
The birth rate is defined as the number of live births per thousand of the population per year.
when were the 3 baby booms?
-after WW1
-after WW2
-in the 60s when it became common for sex outside of marriage
what is a baby boom?
a significant increase in births during a period of time
what are the statistics of the birth rate decline?
In that year England and Wales had a birth rate of 28.7 but by 2014 it had fallen to 12.2
what are the 4 reasons for the decline in birth rates?
- Changes in women’s position
- Decline in infant mortality rate 3. Children are an economic liability
- Child centeredness
why has a change of women’s position led to a decline in birth rate?
• Legal equality resulting in greater educational opportunities and paid employment
• Changes in attitudes to family life and women’s roles
• Access to divorce
• Access to abortion and reliable contraception
what did harper (2012) find?
the education of women is the most important reason for the long-term fall in birth and fertility rates. Many women now use contraception and are career focused so delay having children.
She argues that once a pattern of low fertility lasts for more than one generation, cultural norms about family size change i.e. smaller families become the norm
how did the women’s changed position result in a lower birth rate?
they gave women greater freedom than they previously had as they no longer have to rely on their husband and take chances (contraception), also it is normalised for women to not want to have children / prioritise their career
how was children becoming an economic liability led to a decrease in birth rates?
Until the 19th century children were economic assets because they would be sent to work however with changes in laws and norms, children are now an economic liability. As of the financial pressure people choose not to have children/have more children.
• Laws – banning child labour and introducing and extending compulsory schooling has led to children being economically dependent on their parents for longer.
• Norms – children have a right to expect things from their parents in material terms.
how has child centredness resulted in a decline in birth rates?
child centeredness has encouraged a shift from ‘quantity’ to ‘quality’ – parents now have fewer children and spend more attention and resources on the few children they have.
why has the decline in infant mortality led to a decrease in birth rates?
parents are making more of a connection with their children as they are losing less children and subsequently not replacing them with new children
what is the infant mortality rate?
the number of infant deaths for every 1,000 live births before reaching the age of 1
what are the 5 reasons for a declining infant mortality rate?
-level of nutrition
(strong immune system)
-level of sanitation
(clean water reduces water-borne diseases)
-increased medical knowledge
(better housing conditions and knowledge ie smoking)
-access to prenatal care
(anti natal clinics etc..)
-women in work
( choose not to have children so lower IMR)
what was the IMR in 1900?
103
