Child- Bearing

• What is the definition of child-bearing?

  To have children, including pregnancy and birth
• What influences the decision to have children?

  Social, economic, and personal factors
• What was the number of live births in England and Wales in 2020?

  613,936 live births
• How much did live births drop in 2020 compared to 2019?

  4.1 percent drop
• What was the total fertility rate in the UK in 2020?

  1.58 children per woman
• What is one main reason for the decline in child-bearing?

  Changes in gender roles in the family
• How do career priorities affect child-bearing decisions?

  Women delay childbearing to focus on careers
• What does secularisation refer to in this context?

  Declining influence of traditional religious organisations
• Who coined the term "plastic sexuality"?

  Anthony Giddens
• What does "plastic sexuality" mean?

  Pursuit of sex for pleasure, not procreation
• How has the stigma around contraception changed?

  It has decreased, allowing more control over fertility
• What do feminists argue about abortion laws?

  They oppose patriarchal control over women's fertility
• What is a reason for delaying child-bearing according to postmodern individualism?

  People want to 'find themselves' first
• What economic factors affect child-bearing patterns?

  Uncertain employment and rising living costs
• What does Ulrich Beck argue about postmodern society?

  It is increasingly child-centred
• What are the key reasons for the decline in child-bearing in the West?

  • Changes in gender roles
  • Increased secularisation
  • Improved contraception access
  • Economic costs of parenting
  • Delayed child-bearing for personal reasons
• What was the lowest recorded number of live births since 2002?

  613,936 live births in 2020
• How has the perception of sex changed in relation to child-bearing?

  Sex is no longer solely for reproduction
• How do economic factors influence the decision to have children?

  People may choose fewer children due to costs
• What is the age range of women with the highest fertility rate in 2020?

  30-34 years
• What are the key takeaways regarding child-bearing trends?

  • 613,936 live births in 2020
  • Decline in child-bearing in the West
  • Women pursuing careers beyond motherhood
  • Increased secularisation reduces religious pressures
  • Improved contraception and economic costs influence decisions