Changing Rates Of Birth- Demography Flashcards
What has happened to the rates of birth?
-birth rates has been declining in the UK, this decline means that the average family and household size has dropped in Britain and almost halved in the last 100 years.
What has happened to fertility rates?
Also have declined over the past 100 years. In 1900 there were 115 live births per 1000 women, compared with only 55 in 2001.
What are some factors affecting declines in birth rates?
-changes in family patterns, like homosexual relationships
-women are choosing to have fewer children than they did in the past
Why is ambition a reason for the decline in births and what is the impact?
-women are choosing to pursue their careers over having children and so when they do decide to have children it is at a later age which means having fewer children.
- the impact of this is that it increases equality as women are having fewer children, they have more freedom to persue their own personal desires like careers.
Why is individualisation a reason for the decline in births and what is the impact?
-people now have the freedom and choice with their family structure.
-the impact is that ie leads to increased stability as fewer children means parents and grandparents are able to financially provide for those fewer children and effectively socialise them.
Why is medicalisation a reason for the decline in births and what is the impact?
-improvements in healthcare, science and medical knowledge means contraception is more accessible, declining birth rates.
-the impact is that it leads to social isolation as fewer children means children can experience loneliness making growing up today a very negative time and having no children at all leads to people being lonely due to the lack of familial relationship.
What are some evaluations of the changes in birth rates?
-functionalists would view the decline in birth rates and family size as a positive shift. Persons functional fit theory for example states that family evolves in size in order to fit society’s current needs.
-liberal feminists welcome the decline in fertility rate and the increase in childless couples. They see this as part of the march of progress as in todays society women are facing dual burden or the triple shift and so the decrease in birth rates means women get to be independent and have time for themselves.
