Factors Affecting Human Population Growth

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Questions and Answers

What is one of the effects of lactation on the body when calories are limited?

  • Increases ovulation
  • Enhances nutrient absorption
  • Depletes body fat stores (correct)
  • Stimulates hormone production

What method is currently in clinical trials as a reversible contraceptive for men?

  • Contraceptive gel (correct)
  • Hormonal pill
  • Surgical vasectomy
  • Daily birth control patch

Which of the following countries is experiencing negative rates of natural population change?

  • Australia
  • India
  • France
  • Italy (correct)

Which demographic trend is concerning to economists and policymakers?

<p>Declining and aging populations (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the demographic transition refer to?

<p>A state of high birth and death rates to lower birth and death rates. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What primarily explains most population growth in recent times?

<p>Longer life spans. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which factor contributes to falling fertility rates in urban areas?

<p>Higher costs of child care. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is life expectancy?

<p>The average age a newborn is expected to live to. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which demographic feature generally has a larger life expectancy?

<p>Women. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What challenge do policymakers face regarding population growth?

<p>Understanding impacts of slowing population growth. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the dependency ratio?

<p>The number of nonworking individuals compared to working individuals. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one reason couples in areas with high infant mortality rates tend to have many children?

<p>To ensure some survive to support them (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do cultural and religious values affect family size?

<p>They can promote the idea of having large families. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What do women often prioritize when given the choice regarding family size?

<p>Two or three children (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one effect of improved child health on birth rates?

<p>Dropping birth rates (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is considered crucial in reducing fertility rates?

<p>Access to education (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role do family planning programs typically emphasize?

<p>Increasing women's participation in household decisions (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant issue impacting women's access to contraceptives in developing countries?

<p>Lack of governmental support for family planning (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is independence and choice important for girls regarding family size?

<p>It allows for resistance against early marriage and large families. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the best ways to protect the health of women and children in relation to family size?

<p>Increasing access to contraceptives (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a common misconception about the relationship between income and child welfare?

<p>More income always leads to better welfare for children. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Demographic Transition

The transition from high birth and death rates to lower rates, often associated with economic development.

Life Expectancy

The average number of years a newborn infant can expect to live.

Lifespan

The oldest age to which a species is known to survive.

Dependency Ratio

The ratio of non-working individuals (children and elderly) to working individuals in a population.

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Urbanization and Fertility

The process of urbanization can contribute to lower fertility rates due to factors like increased education and employment opportunities, smaller living spaces, and higher costs of childcare.

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Income and Life Expectancy

Higher income often correlates with higher life expectancy, but there is a limit to this relationship.

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Life Expectancy by Gender

Women generally have longer life expectancies than men, with a global average difference of three years.

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Breastfeeding as a natural birth control

The process of breastfeeding, when calories are limited, can lead to a depletion of body fat stores and suppression of ovulation, serving as a natural method for spacing children.

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Replacement Level

The "replacement level" refers to the average number of children a woman needs to have to maintain a stable population size. This is typically around 2.1 children per woman.

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Negative Population Growth

Countries experiencing negative population growth have more deaths than births, resulting in a shrinking population.

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Challenges of Low Birth Rates

Countries with low birth rates can face challenges in maintaining their military strength, economic power, and social welfare systems.

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Declining populations

The trend of fewer children being born in many countries is leading to a decline in population, potentially affecting economic growth and social well-being.

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Why do people want children?

The desire to have children can be influenced by various factors, including cultural norms, economic conditions, and the need for support in old age.

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Children as support in old age

In societies without social security systems, children are often expected to provide care for their elderly parents.

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Children's economic contributions

Children can contribute to family income and help with household chores, even at young ages.

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Unmet need for contraceptives

The lack of access to effective contraception can lead to larger families than desired, especially where cultural or religious norms favor large families.

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Cultural and religious factors in family size

Cultural and religious values often promote large families, sometimes associating them with status, community contribution, and male pride.

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Education and fertility rates

Opportunities for girls and women education and personal freedom are linked to lower fertility rates, as women gain more control over their lives and choices.

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Child survival and birth rates

Lower child mortality rates often precede declines in birth rates as families experience more child survival.

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What is family planning?

Family planning empowers couples to make conscious decisions about the number and spacing of their children.

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Global access to family planning

Family planning services, including counseling and access to contraceptives, vary greatly across the globe, with higher rates in developed countries compared to developing countries.

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Child marriage and birth rates

Child marriage carries risks for both the mother and children, and can contribute to higher birth rates.

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Study Notes

Demographic Transition

  • Notestein observed a pattern of falling birth and death rates correlating with economic development, termed the demographic transition.

Factors Affecting Fertility Rates

  • Urbanization: Fewer children in urban areas due to economic opportunities, smaller living spaces, and higher childcare costs.
  • Female Education and Socioeconomic Status: Increased education and economic opportunities for women leads to smaller family size, later marriage, and delayed childbirth.
  • Family Planning: Access to family planning services, contraception, and counseling allows couples to control family size. Availability varies globally, with lower access in sub-Saharan Africa.
  • Cultural and Religious Values: Cultural and religious norms often encourage larger families, sometimes valuing boys over girls, impacting fertility decisions.
  • Child Mortality: Lower mortality rates are associated with lower birth rates. Better health care, nutrition, and sanitation are crucial.
  • Male Pride: In some cultures, men desire numerous children, impacting family size and potentially limiting women's control over their fertility.

Life Expectancy and Aging Populations

  • Life Span: The maximum lifespan for a species. Jeanne Calment is the oldest documented human whose birth was recorded and she lived to 122 years.
  • Life Expectancy: The average age a newborn infant can expect to reach. Historically around 30 years. Recent improvements in medicine, sanitation have dramatically increased global life expectancy to over 72 years today.
  • Income and Life Expectancy: Life expectancy increases with income, but only up to a certain point. Women usually have higher life expectancies than men, with notable differences varying by country.
  • Dependency Ratio: The proportion of non-working individuals to working individuals in a population. This ratio is a major concern in countries with aging populations.

Economic Implications of Declining Birth Rates

  • Economic Growth: Policymakers face a new challenge in understanding the impacts of slowing population growth, particularly how to expand economies as populations stabilize or shrink.
  • Consumer Demand: Countries with declining populations face issues with maintaining consumer demand for goods and services.
  • Worker Shortage: Declining populations in many areas have the potential to reduce the amount of revenue collected from taxes by the government.
  • Maintaining Military Strength: These populations may eventually weaken the ability to maintain a well-equipped military.

Policy Responses to Declining Birth Rates

  • Incentives: Some countries offer incentives to encourage women to have more children.
  • Immigration: Increased immigration can alleviate some of the issues that arise from reduced birth rates
  • Education and Awareness: Public education campaigns are utilized to change attitudes about family planning.

Modern Contraception

  • Hormonal Methods: Many modern methods for controlling fertility involve hormones to prevent pregnancy.
  • Male Contraceptives: Research on male contraceptive options, such as gels and injections, is ongoing.

Additional points

  • Early childbearing is seen as a factor that impacts family size.
  • Spacing of children is influenced by factors such as breastfeeding and cultural practices
  • High infant mortality correlates with high birth rates

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