Topic 7- Families And Households Flashcards
Explain birth rates
Birth rates- the total number of birth per one thousand mothers of the population per year
Birth rate is decreasing- in 1900 is was 28.7 and in 2014 it had fell to 12.2
Explain fertility rate
TFR- the total fertility rate is the average number of children women will have during their fertile years
There has been a general decrease, 1964- 2.93 and 2021- 1.61
This affects birthrate as more women are childless and women are postponing having kids and have it when they are less fertile with less fertile years left
What are reasons to why birth rate is declining?
1) changing position of women
2) decline in infant mortality rate
3) children are economic liabilities
4) child centredness
Explain how the changing position of women has affected birth rates
Harper- argues the education of women has changed women’s mindsets, this has taught them how to control their fertility and or delay having kids to peruse a career
How does the decline in infant mortality rates affect birth rates?
IMR- the number of infants that die before their first birthday, per thousand babies born alive, per year
Harper- argues it leads to fall in birth rate as fewer babies die, there is no need to reattempt having kids. As they survive they wait longer to have kids.
The decrease in IMR is due to better standard of living ( nutrition, hygiene and improved services)
How does children becoming an economic liability lead to the decline in birth rate?
Until the late 19th century, children were economic assets as they used to work and earned an income.
However, now they are economic liabilities as laws have banned child labour and norms have changed, now the price of parents raising children has raised
How has child centredness affected birth rate?
The shift in attitude towards children has made them more important in our lives. Now parents give more attention to them, having less children, focussing on quality over quantity
What are the future trends of birth rate?
There has been an increase in birth rate in the mid 2000s, this is due to immigration and mothers from other countries having higher fertility rates.
The projection upto 2045 is a constant 800 thousand per year.
How does birth rate affect society?
Family- smaller families may create more dual earner households as women would be more free to work. Richer families may have bigger families as they can afford to.
The dependency ratio- is the ratio of the working population compared to the non-working population, tax on earnings help the dependent. Children are a type of dependent, so a decrease reduces the burden of independency.
Public services and policies- a lower birth rate means less public services are needed ( schools, child health services). These decisions are upto the government.
The aging population- the ratio of old people to young people is increasing as women have less kids
Explain death rate
DR- the number of deaths per thousand of the population per year
There is a decrease in death rate:
1900- 19 and in 2020-10.3 (covid anomaly)
Tranter- argues over 3/4 of the fall in death rates is due to less disease.
What has causes the decline in death rate?
1) improved nutrition
2) medical improvements
3) smoking and diet
4) public health measures
5) other social changes
How has improved nutrition caused the decline of death rate?
Mckeowen- argues the improved nutrition accounted for over half the reduction in DR, due to an increased resistance to infection.
How has medical improvements helped the decline in DR?
It has helped reduce death rates as it saves people from dying. Such as:
1) blood transfusions
2) antibiotics
3) improved maternity care
How has smoking and diet affected death rates?
Harper- argues the decline in smoking has decreased death rates, however, in the 20th century obesity has replaced that.
How has public health measures affected DR?
The government passed laws to improve:
Housing
Water
Improved sewage and clean air act
This reduced health complications snd therefore deaths
