Child-bearing Trends/ What do sociologists think?

Question 1

In 1961, how many births were registered to married couples?

Answer 1

90% (approx)

Question 2

In 2011, how many births were registered to married couples?

Answer 2

50% (approx) BUT in nearly all cases they were jointly registered by both parents and in most cases the parents were cohabiting

Question 3

In 1971, what was the average age of a woman having her first child?

Answer 3

24

Question 4

In 2012, what was the average age of a woman having her first child?

Answer 4

28 (approx)

Question 5

In 1964, what was the amount of children per woman?

Answer 5

2.95

Question 6

In 2011, what was the amount of children per woman?

Answer 6

1.91 (largely due to non-UK born women who have larger families)

Question 7

In 2013, how many women reaching the age of 45 were childless?

Answer 7

1 in 5

Question 8

Brown (commenting on the trend of an increase in children born outside of marriage)

Answer 8

• the trend of more children born out of marriage reflects a reduction in ‘shot-gun weddings’ (change in societal attitudes, especially due to secularisation)
• statistics should be treated with caution because they only provide a ‘snapshot’ and family life is transitional (ie. mothers who have children out of marriage may marry later)

Question 9

List the four trends in childbearing

Answer 9

• increase in number of children born outside of marriage
• women having children later
• women having fewer children
• more women are remaining childless

Question 10

Why might women have children later? (three reasons)

Answer 10

• people get married later
• women are more focused on establishing and building a career
• larger amount of people pursuing higher education

Question 11

Give three reasons why people may have fewer children

Answer 11

• the trend of having children later means they have less time to have more children and fertility may change with age
• it’s easier to be career orientated with fewer children
• children are incredibly expensive

Question 12

Give three reasons why there is an increase in the number of children born outside of marriage

Answer 12

• more people choose to co-habit
• many people marry later so they might have children earlier before they marry
• it is more acceptable due to secularisation

Question 13

Give three reasons why there is an increase in the number of children born outside of marriage

Answer 13

• more people choose to co-habit
• many people marry later so they might have children earlier before they marry
• it is more acceptable due to secularisation