Demographic trends

Question 1

Define the term “birth rate”

Answer 1

Refers to the number of live births per 1000 of the population per year

Question 2

Outline 3 sociological explanations for the decline of birth rates

Answer 2

• Changes in the position of women: it is now more common for women to delay having children or even remain childfree; this is due to the severe altercation in women’s aspirations and thus not wanting any disruptions i.e maternity leave
• Changing societal attitudes: it is now acceptable to remain free and direct your concerns towards personal needs; post modernists would argue this is due to growing individualism
• Increased cost of raising children: it is evident that society has shifted from viewing children as an economic asset to an economic burden; evidently, the average cost of raising a child in the uk up until the age of 21 is £270,000 (child centred society)

Question 3

Define the term ‘infant mortality rate”

Answer 3

Refers to the number of children dying before their first birthday per 1000 live births per year

Question 4

What is the effect of decreasing birth and fertility rates on family structure

Answer 4

• More 2 person households
• Increased in one person and shared households
• Increase in bean-pole families

Question 5

Define the term “death rate”

Answer 5

Refers to the number of deaths per 1000 of the population per year