Demography

• In a nutshell


  Some sociologists believe the quality of life has significantly improved, whereby life expectancy is increasing, birth rate is decreasing and infant mortality is decreasing. Technological, cultural and social change has led to such an improvement. However, some sociologists disregard this in arguing there is now an increased dependency culture which is a burden on society.
• BIRTH RATE


  Birth rate - the number of live births per year per 1000. Trends: a long-term decline in birth rate. However, there were 3 ‘baby booms’ after WW1, WW2 and during the 1960’s.
• Reasons for the decline in birth rate

  • Changes in the position of women
  • Fall in infant mortality rate
  • Children as an economic liability
  • Child centredness
• Changes in the position of women

  • Increased educational opportunities
  • More women in paid work
  • Change in attitude towards family life and the women's role
  • Wider access to abortion and contraception
• Fall in infant mortality rate

  • Improved housing
  • Improved sanitation
  • Improved nutrition
  • Improved knowledge of hygiene and child health
  • Improved technology
  • Antibiotics
• Children as an economic liability

  • Laws banning child labour
  • Introduction of compulsory schooling
  • Children remain economically dependent for longer
  • Changing norms about children's right to a high standard of living raises their cost
• Child centredness


  • Childhood is now socially constructed and uniquely important period of life
  • Parents focus on quality not quantity
  • Parents have fewer children but lavish more attention on them
• IMPACT OF DECLINING BIRTH RATE 


  The dependency ratio increases - the relationship between the size of the working population and the non-working (dependent) population.

  ​The working population’s earnings support the dependent population through tax.

  ​Women are having fewer children because this reduces the ‘burden of dependency’.

  ​Public services - fewer schools, child health services etc.
• DEATHS 


  Death rate - The number of deaths per 1000 per year. Trends: declining. With the exception of fluctuations in WW1, WW2 and the 1918 flu epidemic.
• REASONS FOR DECLINE IN DEATH RATE

  Improved nutrition

  ​Medical improvements (vaccinations, antibiotics, NHS)

  ​Public health improvements (better housing, clean water, clean air)

  ​Social change (decline in manual labour, greater knowledge of disease)
• REASONS FOR AGEING POPULATION

  The average age in the UK is increasing because of:

  Increased life expectancy

  Low infant mortality rate

  Declining fertility
• IMPACT OF AGEING POPULATION

  Increased strain on public services

  More one-person households

  The rising dependency ratio

  Ageism
• AGEING POPULATION - PHILLIPSON (MARXIST)


  The old are of no use to capitalism because they are no longer productive and an economically dependent group, adding to the dependency ratio.
• AGEING POPULATION - HUNT (POST MODERNIST)


  We can choose our identity no matter what our age is: our age no longer determines who we are. As a result of this, the elderly become a market for body maintenance and rejuvenation services and goods, such as cosmetic surgery, gym membership and anti-ageing products.
• IMIGRATION


  Movement into a society
• EMIGRATION


  Movement Out of a society
• REASONS FOR MIGRATION


  Push factors - unemployment and economic recession

  Pull factors - higher wages and better opportunities