Stuff... Flashcards
Movement of BR?
There has been a long term decline the the birth rate since 1900 - 28.7.
Today - 10.7.
The UK’s TFR movement.
Has rose since 2001 but still much lower than in the past. In 2001 it was 1.63. In 2006 it rose to 1.84.
These changes in the TFR and BR reflect that: 1.
More women are remaining childless than in the past.
These changes in TFR and BR reflect that: 2.
More women are postponing having children. Average age of giving birth is now 29.6. And fertility rates for women in their 30/49s are on the increase, and older women may produce less children as they may be less fertile.
TFR:
The average number of babies a women will have during her fertile years.
Birth rate.
The number of live births ever 1000 of the population per year.
Reasons - decline in BR: Changes in position of women: 1.
Changing attitudes to family life and women’s role.
Reasons - decline BR- position - 2.
Access to abortion and reliable contraception, giving women more control over their fertility.
Reasons - decline BR - 3.
Increased ed. opportunities.
Result of changes in positions of women - BR
Women now see other opportunities and possibilities in life apart from the traditional role of housewife and mother. Many postponing/not having children in order to pursue a career.
IMR
Measures the number of infants who die before their first birthday,clear 1000 babies born alive, per year.
Why do many sociologists argue that a fall in the IMR means a fall in the BR.
If many infants die, parents will have more children to replace them, thus increasing the BR. However, if infants survive, parents will have fewer.
IMR - 1900
154/1000
Today - IMR
5/1000
Reasons for decline in IMR: 1.
Improved housing/better sanitation, reduced infectious disease. Infants are more susceptible to diseases as their immune systems are less developed.
Reasons for the decline in IMR: 2.
Better knowledge of hygiene, child health and welfare.
Reasons for decline in IMR: 3.
Better nutrition including that of mothers.
Until the…
19th century children were economic assets as they could go out to work early. However, this changed in the late 19th century due to a number of reasons, including: introduction of compulsory schooling/raising of school leaving ages/laws banning child labour - economically dependent on parents for longer.
Economic liability 2.
Changing norms and values mean of what children are entitled to expect from their parents in material terms have changed. Means that the cost of brining up children has increased. Parents feel less likely/able to bring up more children.
Childhood has been socially constructed?
Childhood has been socially constructed as in important part of an individuals life. This has encouraged a shift from ‘quantity’ to ‘quality’, as parents now have fewer children and lavish more attention on the few.
Slight increase in the BR since 2001. One reason:
Is because of immigration. Babies born to mothers outside the UK made up for 22% of all births in the UK in 2005.
Effects of changes in fertility: 1.
Smaller families mean that women are more likely to be able to go out to work as well as the man.
Dependency ratio.
Relationship between the size of the working population and the dependent population. The earnings/taxes/savings of the working population supports the dependent population.
As Children are part of the dependency population.
The decrease in TFR and BR reduces the ‘burden of dependency’ on the working population.
Long term of decrease in TFR and BR - Dependency ratio.
Fewer babies being born means fewer adults and a smaller working population in the future. Therefore ‘burden of dependency’ may increase.
Overall No. Of deaths has remained…
…fairly stable since 1900. It was 600, 000 per year. However, this was out of a much smaller population.
Important fluctuations in deaths.
14-18 / 39-45
Death rate.
Number of deaths per 1000 of the population per year.
DR in 1900.
19/1000
DR in 2007.
10/1000. Nearly halved.
Reasons for decline in DR: 1. N.L Tranter.
Argues that over three-quarters of the decline in the DR from about 1850 to 1970 was due to a fall in the no. of deaths caused by infectious disease.
Reasons for decline in DR: 2. McKeowyn.
Argues improved nutrition accounted for up to half of the reduction in DR’s. This is because better nutrition improved our resistance to infection and increased our survival chances if infected.
Criticism of McKeowyn.
Does not explain why women, who usually receive a smaller share of the food supply, lived longer than males.
Reasons for decline in DR: 3. Public health measures/env improvements.
Improved housing (better ventilation/drier), pure drinking water, improved sewage disposal methods - reduce illnesses.
The clean air act, reduced air pollution, such as the smog that led to 4000 premature deaths in 1952.