Demography

Question 1

Demography: In a nutshell

Answer 1

Some sociologists believe the quality of life has significantly improved, whereby life expectancy is increasing, birth rate is decreasing and infant mortality is decreasing. Technological, cultural and social change has led to such an improvement. However, some sociologists disregard this in arguing there is now an increased dependency culture which is a burden on society.

Question 2

What is the birth rate?

Answer 2

Birth rate - the number of live births per year per 1000. Trends: a long-term decline in birth rate. However, there were 3 ‘baby booms’ after WW1, WW2 and during the 1960’s.

Question 3

Reasons for the decline in birth rate:

Answer 3

1. Changes in the position of women - Increased educational opportunities, more women in paid work, change in attitude towards family life and the women’s role, wider access to abortion and contraception.
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2. Fall in infant mortality rate - improved housing, sanitation, nutrition, knowledge of hygiene and child health, improved technology, antibiotics.
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3. Children as an economic liability - Laws banning child labour coupled with the introduction of compulsory schooling has meant children remain economically dependent for longer, changing norms about children’s right to a high standard of living raises their cost.
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4. Child centredness - childhood is now socially constructed and uniquely important period of life, parents focus on quality not quantity, meaning they have fewer children but lavish more attention and resources on them

Question 4

The impact of declining birth rate:

Answer 4

The dependency ratio increases - the relationship between the size of the working population and the non-working (dependent) population.
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The working population’s earnings support the dependent population through tax.
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Women are having fewer children because this reduces the ‘burden of dependency’.
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Public services - fewer schools, child health services etc.

Question 5

What is the death rate?

Answer 5

Death rate - The number of deaths per 1000 per year. Trends: declining. With the exception of fluctuations in WW1, WW2 and the 1918 flu epidemic.

Question 6

Reasons for a decline in death rate:

Answer 6

Improved nutrition
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Medical improvements (vaccinations, antibiotics, NHS)
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Public health improvements (better housing, clean water, clean air)
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Social change (decline in manual labour, greater knowledge of disease)

Question 7

Reasons for an ageing population:

Answer 7

The average age in the UK is increasing because of:
-Increased life expectancy
-Low infant mortality rate
-Declining fertility

Question 8

The impact of an ageing population:

Answer 8

-Increased strain on public services
-More one-person households
-The rising dependency ratio
-Ageism

Question 9

Ageing population: Philipson (Marxist)

Answer 9

The old are of no use to capitalism because they are no longer productive and an economically dependent group, adding to the dependency ratio.

Question 10

Ageing population: Hunt (postmodernist)

Answer 10

We can choose our identity no matter what our age is: our age no longer determines who we are. As a result of this, the elderly become a market for body maintenance and rejuvenation services and goods, such as cosmetic surgery, gym membership and anti-ageing products.

Question 11

Migration: What is immigration?

Answer 11

Movement into a society

Question 12

Migration: What is emigration?

Answer 12

Movement put of a society

Question 13

Reasons for migration:

Answer 13

-Push factors - unemployment and economic recession
-Pull factors - higher wages and better opportunities