Demography Flashcards
What is the total fertility rate?
- average number of children women will have during fertile years
- 2014= 1.8, 1964= 2.9
- more women childless
- postpone having children, average age is 30
Reasons for decline in birth rate, changes in position:
Harper, education of women, see other possibilities than being a housewife, instead pursue a career.
- 2012, 1 in 5 women aged 45 was childless
Reasons for decline in birth rate, decline in infant mortality rate:
- number of infants per 1000 who die before their 1st birthday
- no longer having losts of children to replace those who die
- 1900, UK IMR, 154
- 2012 IMR, 4
- better housing, nutrition, hygiene, services
Reasons for decline in birth rate, children are an economic liability:
- not financially able to have a large family
- previously sent out to work to support the family
- laws ban child labour and changing norms
Reasons for decline in birth rate, child centredness:
- shift from quantity to quality
- fewer children, give more attention & resources to the few
What are some effects of changes in fertility?
- smaller families, women going out to work, dual earner couple. can afford childcare so both go full time
- the dependency ratio, relationship between working part of the population and non working (dependent) working population support the non-working (children).
- Fewer babies born, less young adults, smaller working population, more dependent
- childhood becomes more lonely, no siblings
- fewer schools and healthcare needed (services) impacting cost of paternity
- rising ageing population
Reasons for decline in death rate
- improved nutrition, (McKeown, increased resistance to infection)
-Medical improvements (antibiotics, vaccines, improved maternity) - Reduced smoking, however obesity replaced
- Improved living standards (ventilation, pure water, improved sewage removal)
- Decline of dangerous occupations (mining)
How has life expectancy increased since 1900s?
1900:
Men= 50
Women= 57
2013
Men= 90
Women=94
Class + Gender differences in life expectancy:
- Women live longer than men even though more smoke and men have changed employment (manual)
- Walker, the poorest die 7 years earlier than those in the richest areas of England
How is an ageing population caused?
- increasing life expectancy
- declining infant mortality
- declining fertility
Effects of an ageing population
- increased expenditure on healthcare, old people consume large proportions
- increase of one person pensioner households
- increased dependency ratio, 3.2 working age for every pensioner (2015) fall to 2.8 (2033)
- ageism, discrimination towards older people based on negative stereotypes, excluded from paid work (depend on state/families)
- stages of life have been blurred, more choice in life. centrality of the media= portray elderly positively, emphasis on surface features= anti ageing, cosmetic surgery, exercise; old have different identities
What does Hirsch argue about social policys for an ageing population?
- social policies need to change to solve problem of an ageing population
- financing longer periods of old age byy paying more taxes/ working longer
- housing policies change ‘trade down’ into smaller housing, free up housing for families
- age of retirement may change
Inequality amongst the old
class= MC have better pensions and savings, poor older people shorter life expectancy
gender= women earn less, lower pensions, stereotypes ‘old hags’
Difference between immigration and emigration
immigration, movement into a society
emigration, movement out of a society
Push and pull factors for emigration:
- Push, unemployment, war, oppressive government
- Pull, higher wages, better opportunities, education, weather
