changing patterns of birth rates

child bearing trend

birth rate is decreasing

sue sharpe

• 1974: marriage and children as priority

• 1994: career as top priority, children and marriage least important achievement

reasons for decline in birth rate

• cost

• development of medicine

• emancipation of women

cost of raising children

• £220,000

• birth to 21 years

• economic burden

• child labour + education laws

development of medicine and hygiene

• decrease in infant mortality

• quantity over quality

emancipation of women

• set free from legal, social, or political restrictions

• no longer seen as just ‘producers of children’

post modern: gurnshiem

people are delaying parenthood and choosing to focus on their own life; jobs and careers

• holidays

• travel

• owning a home

reasons for increase of age in first time parents

• ivf

• older women less issues with fertility

• ivf = reliable, well known

• allowed to delay having children