P & T In Childbearing

Question 1

What are the 4 key trends in childbearing?

Answer 1

The increase in the number of children born outside of marriage

Women are having children later

Women are having fewer children

More women are remaining childless

All as a result of improvements in contraception

Question 2

Explain the trend of an increase in the number of children born outside of marriage

Answer 2

In 1961, 94% of births were registered to married couples - in 2011, this figure decreased to 53%

However nearly all of these births are jointly registered by both parents and in most cases the parents are cohabiting

According to BROWN this trend reflects a reduction in “shot gun marriages” where couples married to legitimise a pregnancy - however the statistics should be viewed with caution as they provide only a snapshot picture of family life which in itself is transitional - over half of mothers who have children outside of marriage marry in the future

Question 3

Explain the trend women are having children later

Answer 3

Between 1971 and 2012 the average age a woman had her first child rose from 24 to 28.1 years

49% of babies were born to mothers over 30 and 65% of babies were born to fathers over 30

Question 4

Explain the trend women women are having fewer children

Answer 4

Whilst the number slightly increased at the beginning of the 21st century, most women are having fewer children

The average number of children per woman fell from 2.95 in 1964 to a record low of 1.63 in 2001, rising to 1.91 by 2011 - the increase is largely accounted for by non-UK women having a greater number of children

Question 5

Explain the trend more women are remaining childless

Answer 5

In 2013, 1 in 5 women reaching the age of 45 were childless

Question 6

So women are having children later, less children and more women are remaining childless, what may this be a result of ?

Answer 6

A result of advances in contraception

Enables women to feel liberated without the worry of conceiving when it was unwanted