Examine The Reasons For Changes In Birth Rates And Family Size Since 1990

Examine the reasons for changes in birth rates and family size since 1990 (24 marks)

Birth rate is the number of babies being born per 1000 of a population per year, it may be measured as the number of births in a given population during a given time period (such as a calendar year), divided by the total population and multiplied by 1,000.

Since 1900 there has been a decline in the demographic trend of birth rate, however there was an increase after the two world wars and the 1960’s. The end of World War II brought a ‘baby boom’ to many countries, as men came back from the war and were keen to start a family. It fell again in the 1990’s as many women went into paid employment and increase again in 2001. Other demographic trends such as total fertility rate has also had a impact on the decline in birth rate as it has also declined since 1900, meaning less babies are being born.

As there has been a decline in total fertility rate and birth rate family size has decreased. Aries argues that childhood was much shorter and af6er infancy children became mini adults, entering the world of work and having the same rights as adults. Additionally, Shorter further agues children are more valued today due to the decline in infant mortality rate.

Changes in attitudes to family life and women’s role have also impacted the changes in birth rate and family size. Young and Wilmott noted a shift to a more symmetrical family they called this the ’March of Progress’, as more women go out to work and more men doing housework resulting in more leisure time together. Legislations in employment also have had a impact on birth rate and family size, for example the sex discrimination act and equal pay act. More women now work resulting in less time to have and raise children, therefore another factor adding to the decline in birth rate and decrease in family sizes.

Education also plays a role in determining levels of birth rate as family planning education can reduce birth rates. In the longer term, as education levels increase people tend to have fewer children so that they can focus in improving the life chances of becoming successful and earning a career. There are also increased educational opportunities, as girls now to better than boys.

Women now have easier access to divorce and changes in better development of medicine, these are factors are a decline in birth rate and decrease in family size. Improved contraception and birth control are now available for free; there are also many forms of contraception. Also, the 1967 Abortion act was enforced makes family planning easier resulting in a decline in birth rate and decrease in family size.

Families with three or more has decreased by three percent, this has resulted in a decline in birth rate creating smaller families and a decreased in total fertility rate.

In conclusion, since 1900 birth rate and family size has decreased and many factors have affected this. For example, decline in total fertility rate, immigration and legislations. Each factor plays a equal role in contributing to the decline in birth rate in the last 100 years resulting in smaller family sizes.