Childbearing Flashcards
What was the number of live births in England and Wales in 2020 according to ONS?
In 2020, there were 613,936 live births in England and Wales, which was the lowest number since 2002 and a 4.1% decrease compared to 2019.
How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect the fertility rate?
The COVID-19 pandemic likely contributed to the decline in the fertility rate, but the trend of decreasing childbearing has been evident in many Western countries even before the pandemic.
How have changes in women’s positions affected childbearing rates?
Many women are prioritizing their careers over childbearing, leading them to delay having children. As a result, larger families are no longer the norm, and many couples choose to have fewer or no children at all.
How has secularisation influenced childbearing?
The decline in the influence of religious organisations has meant that religious views on morality, including those related to childbearing, are no longer as important. Additionally, the stigma around sex has decreased, and procreation is no longer viewed as the sole purpose of sex.
What does Anthony Giddens mean by “plastic sexuality”?
Idea that sex is now pursued for pleasure rather than solely for procreation.
How has the availability of contraception impacted childbearing?
The availability of effective contraception has led to fewer unwanted pregnancies, giving people, especially women, more control over their childbearing decisions.
How has secularisation affected views on contraception and abortion?
As secularisation has reduced the influence of religion, contraception and abortion have become less stigmatized, making them more accessible and socially acceptable.
What was Christine Delphy’s argument about abortion in the 1990s?
Christine Delphy argued that patriarchal societies oppose abortion because if women had control over their fertility, they could avoid the unpaid labor of childcare, which men exploit. This would empower women to make choices that challenge traditional gender roles.
How has the cost of living influenced childbearing decisions?
Due to uncertain employment situations and the increasing cost of living and housing, many people decide to have fewer children or none at all because they cannot afford to raise multiple children.
What did Ulrich Beck (1992) say about childbearing in postmodern society?
Increasingly child-centred, meaning parents tend to spend more on a single child and support them for a longer period. As a result, people have fewer children in order to afford the increased costs of raising them.
