Demography and Trends in Population

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Questions and Answers

What factors contribute to the natural increase in the UK's population?

Natural increase occurs when the number of births exceeds the number of deaths.

How did the fertility rate in 1900 compare to that in 2012?

In 1900, the fertility rate was 115 live births per 1000 women, while in 2012 it dropped to 4 per 1000.

What was the total fertility rate in the UK in 1964 compared to 2014?

In 1964, the total fertility rate was 2.95 children per woman, but it fell to 1.89 by 2014.

What impact has women's education and career prioritization had on birth rates?

Increased educational achievement and career opportunities have led women to have fewer children and delay childbirth. Signup and view all the answers

What is voluntary childlessness and how has it been influenced by recent societal changes?

Voluntary childlessness is a lifestyle choice influenced by the contraception revolution, allowing women more control over childbearing. Signup and view all the answers

How has the average age for a mother's first birth changed from 1970 to the present?

The average age for a mother’s first birth increased from 27 years in 1970 to 30.9 years now. Signup and view all the answers

According to Harper (2012), what is considered the most significant factor in the decline of birth and fertility rates?

Harper argues that the education of women is the most important reason for the long-term decline in birth and fertility rates. Signup and view all the answers

What trends have been observed regarding older mothers and the childbirth age?

There has been an increase in older mothers aged 40 and over, with fewer women aged 24 or under having children. Signup and view all the answers

What does the increasing child-centredness of society imply about the upbringing of children?

It implies that childhood is now considered a uniquely important period where parents focus more on the quality of upbringing rather than quantity. Signup and view all the answers

How does a decrease in the number of babies born affect the dependency ratio?

A decrease in the number of babies reduces the 'burden of dependency' on the working population, as fewer children means a smaller dependent population. Signup and view all the answers

What social implications can arise from fewer children being born in terms of children's social experiences?

Fewer children can lead to loneliness during childhood, as there will likely be fewer siblings and less advocacy for children's interests among childless adults. Signup and view all the answers

What are some public service implications of declining fertility rates?

Declining fertility rates may lead to a reduced need for schools and maternity services, though political decisions can influence how these services are maintained. Signup and view all the answers

What impact has smaller family sizes had on women's employment opportunities?

Smaller family sizes have enabled more women to enter the workforce, contributing to a rise in dual-earner couples. Signup and view all the answers

How does the shift from larger to smaller families affect societal perceptions of children's value?

With fewer children, each child may be seen as more valuable and deserving of attention and resources. Signup and view all the answers

What statistical trend is observed among nuclear families regarding employment?

Around 60% of nuclear families are now dual-career families, indicating a trend towards both parents working. Signup and view all the answers

In what ways might the future working population be impacted if fertility rates continue to decline?

The future working population may struggle to support an aging population, as fewer children lead to fewer young adults entering the workforce. Signup and view all the answers

What was the infant mortality rate (IMR) in the UK in 1900?

154 per thousand babies born alive. Signup and view all the answers

What contributed to the decline in the UK’s IMR after the 1950s?

Mass immunisation, antibiotics, and improved midwifery techniques. Signup and view all the answers

How did cultural norms about family size change due to low fertility patterns?

Smaller families became the norm, and larger families were viewed as less acceptable. Signup and view all the answers

What role did improved housing and sanitation play in reducing the IMR?

They reduced the risk of infectious diseases that affect infants. Signup and view all the answers

Why did parents tend to have more children historically despite high IMRs?

To replace the infants they lost to mortality. Signup and view all the answers

In what ways have children become an economic liability since the late 19th century?

Laws against child labor and increasing costs of raising children. Signup and view all the answers

How does the current trend of educated women using family planning affect birth rates?

Educated women often opt for fewer children by delaying childbearing. Signup and view all the answers

What services have improved for mothers and children that aid in reducing IMR?

Antenatal and postnatal clinics offering advice and support. Signup and view all the answers

What role did improved nutrition play in the reduction of death rates from infectious diseases according to McKeown?

Improved nutrition accounted for up to half the reduction in death rates from infectious diseases, particularly TB. Signup and view all the answers

According to McKeown, why is the longer lifespan of females compared to males problematic for his argument on nutrition?

He does not explain why females, who receive less food, live longer than males. Signup and view all the answers

What major medical advancements occurred after the 1950s that contributed to reduced death rates?

Advancements included antibiotics, mass immunization, blood transfusion, and improved maternity services. Signup and view all the answers

What lifestyle change did Harper identify as the primary factor in the greatest reduction of death rates?

The reduction in the number of people smoking was the primary factor. Signup and view all the answers

How has obesity impacted death rates in comparison to earlier lifestyle epidemics according to the given content?

Despite the increase in obesity, death rates from obesity have been kept low due to drug therapies. Signup and view all the answers

What public health improvements did effective governments facilitate in the 20th century?

Governments improved housing, provided purer drinking water, and enhanced sewage disposal methods. Signup and view all the answers

What was the impact of the Clean Air Acts mentioned in the content?

The Clean Air Acts reduced air pollution, preventing health crises like the 1952 smog that caused 4,000 deaths. Signup and view all the answers

According to Harper, what shift in health culture is emerging in the 21st century?

An 'American' health culture is emerging where unhealthy lifestyles are countered by costly medication. Signup and view all the answers

What factors have contributed to the decline of dangerous manual jobs in the UK?

The decline of dangerous manual jobs has been influenced by increasing health and safety regulations. Signup and view all the answers

How do smaller family sizes affect the rate of infection transmission?

Smaller family sizes reduce the rate of transmission of infections among family members. Signup and view all the answers

What does life expectancy indicate about a population?

Life expectancy indicates the average duration individuals can expect to live in a given year. Signup and view all the answers

What was the average life expectancy for males born in England in 1900 compared to 2013?

In 1900, it was 50 years for males; in 2013, it increased to 90.7 years. Signup and view all the answers

What demographic differences exist in life expectancy in the UK?

Women generally live longer than men, and lower social classes tend to have lower life expectancies. Signup and view all the answers

According to Walker (2011), how much earlier do those in the poorest areas die compared to those in the richest areas?

Those in the poorest areas die on average seven years earlier than those in the richest areas. Signup and view all the answers

What trend concerning the ageing population has been observed in the UK since 1971?

The average age of the UK population has been increasing, rising from 34.1 years in 1971 to an estimated 42.8 years by 2037. Signup and view all the answers

What significant statistic regarding the population aged 65 and over was noted for the UK in 2014?

In 2014, for the first time, the number of people aged 65 or over equaled the number of those under 15. Signup and view all the answers

What role does language, specifically Mandarin, play for migrants in a globalized world?

Mandarin serves as an important tool for migrants to connect with Chinese communities globally. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of assimilationist policies?

The goal is to encourage immigrants to adopt the host culture's language, values, and customs. Signup and view all the answers

How do multiculturalism policies differ from assimilationist policies?

Multiculturalism allows immigrants to maintain their cultural identity, while assimilation seeks to merge them into the host culture. Signup and view all the answers

What are Eriksen's concepts of 'shallow diversity' and 'deep diversity'?

'Shallow diversity' refers to superficial cultural differences, while 'deep diversity' involves deeper, meaningful cultural practices. Signup and view all the answers

What criticisms have emerged regarding multicultural education policies?

Critics argue they celebrate superficial aspects of culture while ignoring deeper issues like racism faced by migrant children. Signup and view all the answers

What impact did the 9/11 terrorist attacks have on multiculturalism policies?

The attacks prompted many politicians to advocate for a return to assimilationist approaches over multiculturalism. Signup and view all the answers

Why are assimilation policies considered counter-productive according to Castles?

Such policies portray migrants as culturally backward or ‘Other’, which can hinder their integration. Signup and view all the answers

Can you provide an example of a law reflecting a shift away from multiculturalism?

The ban on face veiling in France in 2010 is an example of this shift. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Demography

Demography studies populations and their characteristics.
Population size is influenced by births, deaths, and migration.
Fertility rate is the number of live births per 1000 women aged 15-44 in a year.
Total fertility rate is the average number of children women will have in their fertile years.
Birth rate has generally declined since 1900.
Factors influencing birth rate include proportion of women of childbearing age and number of children per woman.
Changing expectations of women have significantly affected birth rates.

Demographic Trends

Women prioritize careers over having families due to educational and employment opportunities.
Increased availability of contraceptives, changes in lifestyle choices, and education are factors.
Voluntary childlessness is a growing trend.
Mothers are having children later in life.
Average age for a mother's first birth increased, and women past the age of 40 have children.
Fertility declines with age, impacting the number of children born.

Infant and Death Rates

Infant mortality rate (IMR) measures the number of infants dying before their first birthday per 1000 live births.
UK IMR was 154 per thousand in 1900, declining to 30 by 1950 and 4 in 2012.
Factors that improve IMR include better housing, sanitation, medical advancements, immunisation, and improved midwifery/obstetrics.
Death rates are declining due to several factors, including improvements in nutrition, medical technology, and public health measures.

Dependency Ratio

Dependency ratio relates the working population to the non-working population.
Children and the elderly form a large part of the non-working segment.
A declining birth rate reduces the 'burden of dependency' on the working population in the short term.
However, long-term declines pose challenges, potentially leading to a larger proportion of dependents and affecting workforce sizes.

Ageing Population

Ageing population is increasing due to factors including higher life expectancies, declining infant mortality, and lower fertility rates.
This increase impacts public services like healthcare, social care, education, and housing.
Policies and provision of support for older adults are important.

Changes in Family Size

Family sizes have reduced.
Smaller families have become the norm.
Women have increasingly joined the labour force.
Increase in dual-career households.
Childcare costs, compulsory schooling, and changes in norms contribute to smaller families.

Immigration

Immigration influences population size and age structure.
Immigration trends have accelerated in the past century, due partially to improved transportation and communication.
Immigrants tend to be younger than the average native population, indirectly decreasing the average age of the overall population.

Migration

Reasons for migration can include economic factors, political factors, and war and persecution.
Immigration can cause shifts in cultural and ethnic diversity.
Policies for immigration control and assimilation can significantly impact a nation.
Globalized world has increased the volume of migration, impacting economies, cultures, and societies in general.

Policies and Outcomes

A range of policies addressing childbirth, ageing, and migration are influencing demographic trends.
Policies aimed at reducing inequalities are impacting demographics like wealth, class, ethnicity, and gender.
These impacts must be measured and adjusted as populations and trends change.

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Description

Explore the fascinating field of demography, focusing on population characteristics, trends, and the factors influencing birth rates. This quiz discusses how changing societal norms and women's roles impact fertility and family planning choices. Test your knowledge on demographic patterns and their implications.