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what is the current fertility rate
the current fertility rate is 1.4
what are the reasons why people delay having children
not finding the right partner/individualisation
less religious pressure
financial pressure/expensive
not feeling ready
why is birth rate declining
changing position of women
Harper- education is the most significant reason for change as there is a new mindset
Sharpe- interviewed girls in the 70s about ambitions and found most of them where family based, by the 9ps they had increased in self reliance and independence
1970- equal pay act
1975- sex discrimination act
Reduced infant mortality
Harper- people have less children dying so less need for them to be replaced
maternity care and understanding has improved
children are an economic liability
industrial britain- children were an asset as they could work
modern society- quality over quantity and laws surrounding children’s work
costs to raise children are high- consumerism is at a high ‘keeping up with the jonses’
EVAL- Charles Murray says large families do still exist today due to over generous welfare state (perverse incentive)
impacts of changes in fertility
more women are in work- less need for the expressive role
dual earner couples may also decide they can afford to have larger families
2025- additional free childcare hours
impacts of the family structure
impacts the dependency ratio
workers who pay tax compared to people who rely on tax (children, pensioners, the unemployed) as lower numbers of children are born
impacts public services
fewer teachers/nursery workers
type of housing required and the cost of maternity/paternity are effected
EVAL- some would argue it is not a result of a lower birth rate but instead just due to government decisions such as budget cuts
