Social problems chp 16

Demography: The statistical study of populations, including the structure, distribution, and trends.
Historical Population Milestones:
- 12,000 years ago: Approximately 5 million people on Earth
- 1 A.D.: Estimated 300 million people
- Industrial Revolution Impact:
- 1800: 1 billion people
- 1930: 2 billion people
- 1962: 3 billion people
- 1974: 4 billion people
- 1987: 5 billion people
- 1999: 6 billion people
- Today: Over 8 billion people

Demographic Transition Theory: Suggests that population growth slows as a country becomes more industrialized.
- Transition from high birth and death rates to low birth and death rates.
- Factors contributing to lower birth and death rates:
- Higher standard of living
- Better nutrition and medical care
- Availability of birth control and surgical sterilizations
- Legalization of abortion
- Increased number of women in the workforce

Birth Rates Comparison:
- Industrialized Nations:
- Generally lower birth rates.
- View children as a psychological asset.
- Undeveloped Nations:
- Higher birth rates.
- Comprise 83% of the world’s population.
- Limited access to birth control; children viewed as economic assets.

Death Rates Comparison:
- Industrialized Nations:
- Lower death rates.
- Aging population phenomenon referred to as the "Graying of America".
- Contributing factors: clean water, adequate food supply, proper plumbing, and medical care.
- Undeveloped Nations:
- Higher death rates due to lack of essential services.
- Challenges include lack of clean water, food insecurity, inadequate medical care, and poor sanitary living conditions.

Relative Poverty:
- Defined as lacking sufficient funds to maintain an average standard of living.
- Characteristics include:
- Driving old cars
- Residing in impoverished neighborhoods
- Purchasing inexpensive food
- May qualify for government assistance in industrialized countries.
Absolute Poverty:
- Defined as the lack of funds to meet basic life necessities such as food, water, clothing, shelter, and medical care.
- Represents a critical distinction between surviving and dying.
- More prevalent in undeveloped countries.

Global Hunger:
- Far more widespread than hunger in the United States.
- Statistics:
- Approximately 800 million people globally lack sufficient food.
- About 25,000 people die from hunger-related causes daily; equales around 9,000,000 per year.
- Notable resources: Feeding America, Feed the Hungry.
Hunger in the United States:
- Mitigated by programs like SNAP, WIC, soup kitchens, and free or reduced school lunch programs.

In low-income countries, tens of millions of children face severe starvation:
- Consequences include begging in the streets, theft, prostitution, and involvements with drug gangs.

Chattel Slavery:
- Historical context:
- British Empire abolished slavery in 1833.
- The United States abolished slavery in 1865 through the 13th Amendment.
- Current estimates indicate that about 30 million people are enslaved globally.
Sweatshops:
- Approximately 250 million children, ages 5-14, work in sweatshops.
- Conditions: Predominant issues include insufficient pay, long work hours, and unsafe working environments.
- Products made include clothing, toys, and electronics.

Suggests that industrialized nations can assist undeveloped countries in adapting through manufacturing industries.
- Viewed as mutually beneficial, enabling poorer nations to modernize and rise out of poverty.

A critical perspective that posits industrialized nations exploit poorer countries for cheap labor.
- Large corporations driven by the desire for profit and power.

Sociology examines the implications of global demographic trends on natural resources, economic and political development.
On a micro-level, it looks at how individual experiences of hunger, starvation, child labor, slavery, and sex trafficking impact families and individuals.