Topic 4 - Demography Flashcards
Why have birth rates declined due to changes in the position of women according to Harper?
Women’s education is the biggest factor in falling rates because educated women are using family planning and see other possibilities in life beyond the traditional role as a housewife and mother
Meaning they delay childbearing for a career
Examples of how women’s position has changed in society
- Control over own fertility - access to abortion and reliable contraception so less unplanned pregnancies happen
- Change in attitudes - to family life/women’s role
Evidence to support the fall in birth rates - according to ONS
1900 - birth rate was 28.7
2014 - fallen to approx. 12.2
Why has the infant mortality rate declined according to Harper?
Fallen because less children are being born, parents are no longer replacing children they’ve lost because the firstborns are now more likely to survive
Why has IMR fallen in the 20th century?
- Improved housing and sanitation - less spread of disease
- Better knowledge of hygiene and healthcare/welfare
- Better nutrition
How does a fall in birth rates impact the family
- dependency ratio
- Families having less children, the dependency ratio (working people : non working) is affected, less young adults, smaller working population, increasing the burden of dependency
How has improved nutrition caused the birth rates to decline according to McKeown?
Improved nutrition accounts for up to 1/2 the reduction in death rates - better nutrition increased resistance to infection
How does a fall in birth rates impact the family
- public services
- Less need for schools and child health services and the cost of maternity and paternity leave would be affected
How does falling birth rates impact the family?
Smaller families means women have more freedom to go to work, resulting in more dual-earner households
How can McKeown be criticized?
He fails to explain why women get smaller portion sizes but live longer than males
How does death rate impact life expectancy? & ONS
It increases as people are living for longer
1900 - females lived to 57
2013 - live till 94
