Birth rate Trends in the birth and Slight increase since 2001. Increase in immigration- mothers born outside the UK have higher fertility
fertility rate rates than those born in the UK (25% of births in 2011). 2041- 800,000 births a year on average. BUT long-
term decline in both the birth rate and fertility rates beside baby booms after the war and in the 1960s.
More women remaining childless or having children later in life.
Changes in women’s Easier access to divorce, abortion and contraception. More women working – have children later/less
position children. Harper (2012)- education of women is the most important reason for the long-term fall in birth
and fertility rates. It has led to a change in mind-set among women, resulting in fewer children- women
see other possibilities than the role of housewife or mother. 2012- one in five women aged 45 was
childless- double the number 25 years earlier. Once a pattern of low fertility rates lasts more than one
generation, cultural norms about family size change- smaller families become the norm and large ones
come to be seen as deviant or less acceptable.
Decline the infant Better housing, sanitation and medication. Less babies dying = less ‘replacements’ needed. 1900- 154 per
mortality rate 1,000 died (15%, 1950- 30 per 1,000- 2012- 4 per 1,000 which is 1/40 th of the 1900 figure.
BUT Brass and Kabir (1978)- the trend to smaller families began not in rural areas, where the IMR first
began to fall but in urban areas, where the IMR remained higher for longer.
Children as an economic 19th century children were economic assets and now they are liabilities. This is due to laws such as the
liability 1880 compulsory education act and the 1989 UN children’s act. Therefore, parents feel less able or
willing than in the past to have a large family.
Child centeredness Childhood is now seen as special period and children are spoiled; parents focus on them. Quality over
quantity. £300,000 to raise a child to age 18.
Effects of changes in Family- smaller families has created more dual earner couples. Better off families may be able to afford
fertility rates childcare and will therefore have larger families.
Dependency ratio- fall in the number of children reduces the dependency ratio burden. Eventually this
will mean fewer working adults and so the burden may increase again. Children become much lonelier as
a result of having fewer siblings. It may also mean they become valued. Less representation= ‘vanishing
children’.
Public service and policies- fewer babies means there is an ageing population. Fewer schools needed and
changes in the types of housing needed.
Death rate Trends in the death rate Long term decline, peaks during the wars, risen slightly since 2011. Causes of death have changes as well-
preventable, infectious diseases to ‘diseases of affluence’ such as heart disease.
Hygiene, sanitation, Public sewer systems and clean running water. Eliminated epidemics such as cholera. McKeown (1972)-
nutrition and medicine improved nutrition accounted for up to half the reduction in death rates as increased resistance to
infection and survival chances of those infected.
BUT fails to explain why females who received a smaller amount of the family food supply lived longer.
Economic growth and living standards more important.
, Higher living standards Intervention in public health NHS in 1948. Better quality housing and smaller family sizes. More income.
Food. Inequalities in those that benefits. Obesity is now a big killer. More money- more taxation means
more money towards public health.
Public health and welfare NHS (1948). Health and safety laws. Clear air act- reduce pollution. Smoking reduced (but replaced with
obesity).
BUT Harper- greatest fall in death rates due to reduction in number of people smoking, obesity replaced it.
Health education/ public Widespread concern. Greater knowledge. Decline in manual work- obesity. Rationality- keen interest in
health measures heath. Nutritional advice taken. NHS websites offer guidance. Balanced diets- bring down the death rate.
Life expectancy Men- 1900 live till 50 to 2013 live till 90.7, Women- 1900 live till 57 to 2013 live till 94 years
Baby born today has a greater chance of reaching its 65th birthday than a baby born in 1900 has of reaching
its first birthday.
Inequalities Class- working class men in unskilled jobs are x3 more likely to die before the age of 65 than professional
jobs. Work is more dangerous and involves manual labour.
Gender- women still outlive men although the gap is changing due to changes in employment.
Region- those living north have a lower life expectancy that those in the south.
Ageing Trends People are living longer and therefore the population is equally spread out more. Older people and less
population young people in society. Age pyramid turning to blocks. Due to increased life expectancy, declining IMR and
declining fertility.
Postmodernity and old Orderly stages of life broken down- choice of lifestyle. Consumption- defines us not production. Hunt
age (2005)- we can choose a lifestyle and identity regardless of age. Old become a market for anti-ageing
things. Breaks down stereotypes- age no longer defines us.
Boosts to the economy Kewton- emergence of new markets. Purchasing power of old people will make an increasingly important
contribution to the UK economy in the leisure and culture industries. Growing number of older people are
also contributing to the economy through paid work.
More social cohesion Functionalists- older people play a wide role in their community as they retire, especially if keen to
and community remain active. Department for culture survey 2014- 4.9 million people 65+ in England took part in
involvement volunteering or civic engagement opportunities.
Family support Grandparents now play and important role in providing unpaid childcare. Legal and Generals (2013)-
grandparents helped parents with household and childcare duties for 8 hours a week approx. Otherwise
£73 to childminder.
Crime rate Older people are less likely to commit crime to if a greater proportion of society is older crime rates should
decrease- saves on money- can be used for the old.
Public service Older people consume a larger proportion of service e.g. in health and social care. BUT we should be aware
of over generalising since man people remain in relatively good health well into old age.
One person pensioner Increased- 12.5% of household/ 1 in 8 (mainly female) over 75s twice as many women as women. Young
fertility rate rates than those born in the UK (25% of births in 2011). 2041- 800,000 births a year on average. BUT long-
term decline in both the birth rate and fertility rates beside baby booms after the war and in the 1960s.
More women remaining childless or having children later in life.
Changes in women’s Easier access to divorce, abortion and contraception. More women working – have children later/less
position children. Harper (2012)- education of women is the most important reason for the long-term fall in birth
and fertility rates. It has led to a change in mind-set among women, resulting in fewer children- women
see other possibilities than the role of housewife or mother. 2012- one in five women aged 45 was
childless- double the number 25 years earlier. Once a pattern of low fertility rates lasts more than one
generation, cultural norms about family size change- smaller families become the norm and large ones
come to be seen as deviant or less acceptable.
Decline the infant Better housing, sanitation and medication. Less babies dying = less ‘replacements’ needed. 1900- 154 per
mortality rate 1,000 died (15%, 1950- 30 per 1,000- 2012- 4 per 1,000 which is 1/40 th of the 1900 figure.
BUT Brass and Kabir (1978)- the trend to smaller families began not in rural areas, where the IMR first
began to fall but in urban areas, where the IMR remained higher for longer.
Children as an economic 19th century children were economic assets and now they are liabilities. This is due to laws such as the
liability 1880 compulsory education act and the 1989 UN children’s act. Therefore, parents feel less able or
willing than in the past to have a large family.
Child centeredness Childhood is now seen as special period and children are spoiled; parents focus on them. Quality over
quantity. £300,000 to raise a child to age 18.
Effects of changes in Family- smaller families has created more dual earner couples. Better off families may be able to afford
fertility rates childcare and will therefore have larger families.
Dependency ratio- fall in the number of children reduces the dependency ratio burden. Eventually this
will mean fewer working adults and so the burden may increase again. Children become much lonelier as
a result of having fewer siblings. It may also mean they become valued. Less representation= ‘vanishing
children’.
Public service and policies- fewer babies means there is an ageing population. Fewer schools needed and
changes in the types of housing needed.
Death rate Trends in the death rate Long term decline, peaks during the wars, risen slightly since 2011. Causes of death have changes as well-
preventable, infectious diseases to ‘diseases of affluence’ such as heart disease.
Hygiene, sanitation, Public sewer systems and clean running water. Eliminated epidemics such as cholera. McKeown (1972)-
nutrition and medicine improved nutrition accounted for up to half the reduction in death rates as increased resistance to
infection and survival chances of those infected.
BUT fails to explain why females who received a smaller amount of the family food supply lived longer.
Economic growth and living standards more important.
, Higher living standards Intervention in public health NHS in 1948. Better quality housing and smaller family sizes. More income.
Food. Inequalities in those that benefits. Obesity is now a big killer. More money- more taxation means
more money towards public health.
Public health and welfare NHS (1948). Health and safety laws. Clear air act- reduce pollution. Smoking reduced (but replaced with
obesity).
BUT Harper- greatest fall in death rates due to reduction in number of people smoking, obesity replaced it.
Health education/ public Widespread concern. Greater knowledge. Decline in manual work- obesity. Rationality- keen interest in
health measures heath. Nutritional advice taken. NHS websites offer guidance. Balanced diets- bring down the death rate.
Life expectancy Men- 1900 live till 50 to 2013 live till 90.7, Women- 1900 live till 57 to 2013 live till 94 years
Baby born today has a greater chance of reaching its 65th birthday than a baby born in 1900 has of reaching
its first birthday.
Inequalities Class- working class men in unskilled jobs are x3 more likely to die before the age of 65 than professional
jobs. Work is more dangerous and involves manual labour.
Gender- women still outlive men although the gap is changing due to changes in employment.
Region- those living north have a lower life expectancy that those in the south.
Ageing Trends People are living longer and therefore the population is equally spread out more. Older people and less
population young people in society. Age pyramid turning to blocks. Due to increased life expectancy, declining IMR and
declining fertility.
Postmodernity and old Orderly stages of life broken down- choice of lifestyle. Consumption- defines us not production. Hunt
age (2005)- we can choose a lifestyle and identity regardless of age. Old become a market for anti-ageing
things. Breaks down stereotypes- age no longer defines us.
Boosts to the economy Kewton- emergence of new markets. Purchasing power of old people will make an increasingly important
contribution to the UK economy in the leisure and culture industries. Growing number of older people are
also contributing to the economy through paid work.
More social cohesion Functionalists- older people play a wide role in their community as they retire, especially if keen to
and community remain active. Department for culture survey 2014- 4.9 million people 65+ in England took part in
involvement volunteering or civic engagement opportunities.
Family support Grandparents now play and important role in providing unpaid childcare. Legal and Generals (2013)-
grandparents helped parents with household and childcare duties for 8 hours a week approx. Otherwise
£73 to childminder.
Crime rate Older people are less likely to commit crime to if a greater proportion of society is older crime rates should
decrease- saves on money- can be used for the old.
Public service Older people consume a larger proportion of service e.g. in health and social care. BUT we should be aware
of over generalising since man people remain in relatively good health well into old age.
One person pensioner Increased- 12.5% of household/ 1 in 8 (mainly female) over 75s twice as many women as women. Young
