Effects Of Chnages In Fertility

Question 1

Changes in the number of babies born affect what

Answer 1

1. The family
2. The dependency ratio
3. Public services and policies

Question 2

The family

Answer 2

Smaller families means that women are more likely to be free to go out to w.work, thus creating the dual earner couple typical of many professionals families

However family size is only one factor here, better of couples may be able to have larger families and still afford childcare that allows them both to work full time

Question 3

The dependency ratio

Answer 3

Is the relationship between the size of the working part of the population and the size of the non -working (dependant) part of the population

The taxes of the working population support the dependant population

Children make up a large part of the dependant population, so a fall in the number of children reduces the burden of dependency on the working population

However in the longer term, with fewer people being born there will eventually be a smaller working population and so the burden of dependency may begin to increase again, especially as we are living longer

Question 4

Vanishing children

Answer 4

Falling fertility rates means fewer children which leads to childhood becoming lonelier (no siblings) and fewer voices speaking up for children’s interest (more childless adults) - less children so they don’t feel the need to speak up for them

However fewer children may also make children feel more valued

Question 5

Public services and policies

Answer 5

Over birth rate means fewer schools, maternity and child health services may be needed if also has implications for the cos of maternity and paternity leave or the types of housing that need to be build

However we should remember that many of these are political decisions so will vary based on who is in power.

Question 6

Exam question on teams