13

MODULE 13: Women and Demographic Change

Key Terms & Concepts

  1. Women’s Status

    • Definition: Level of equality between men and women in access to resources, opportunities, and social power.

    • Examples: Education, healthcare, employment opportunities, land ownership.

    • AP Tip: MC questions often ask which factor is linked to higher women’s status. FRQs may ask you to analyze its impact on fertility or mortality.

  3. Female Autonomy

    • Definition: Women’s ability to make decisions for themselves and their families.

    • Example: A woman deciding to pursue higher education instead of early marriage.

    • AP Tip: Often linked to lower fertility rates in FRQs.

  5. Women’s Empowerment

    • Definition: Increased freedom for women to shape their lives and influence society.

    • Example: Women in rural China moving to cities for work and financial independence.

    • AP Tip: Could be used in FRQs asking about migration or economic changes.

  7. Fertility

    • Definition: Average number of children a woman has in her lifetime.

    • Example: Women with over 13 years of schooling may have 1–2 children, while women with <6 years may have 4–6 children.

    • AP Tip: MC may ask how education affects fertility; FRQs could ask to explain the link between women’s status and population growth.

  9. Family Planning / Contraceptives

    • Definition: Access to birth control and reproductive health services.

    • Example: Modern contraceptives reducing unintended pregnancies in developing countries.

    • AP Tip: MC could ask about the effect of contraceptive access on fertility. FRQs might ask to explain consequences for population size or economic development.

  11. Mortality Rates

    • Definition: Death rates, often categorized by infant, child, or maternal mortality.

    • Example: Educated mothers more likely to follow hygiene and nutrition practices → lower infant deaths.

    • AP Tip: MC: link higher women’s status with lower mortality. FRQ: discuss health outcomes.

  13. Migration & Women

    • Definition: Women’s social status affects their migration choices.

    • Example: Rural Chinese women moving to cities for factory jobs to gain independence.

    • AP Tip: FRQs may ask how women’s empowerment influences migration patterns.