Birth Rates and Death Rates N the Uk Since 1900

Sociologists use the concept of birth rate to measure births. The birth rate is defined as the number of live births per 1000 of the population per year. There has been a long-term decline in the number of births since 1900. In that year, England and Wales had a birth rate of 28.7, but by 2007 it had fallen to an estimated 10.7. However there have been fluctuations in births, with three 'baby dooms' in the 20th century.

The first came after the two world wars, 1914-18 and 1939-1945, as returning men who fought in the world wars and their partners started families that they had postponed during the war years. Then there was the third baby boom in the 1960s, after which the birth rate fell sharply during the 1970s. The rate rose during the 1980s, before falling again after the early 1990s. Sociologists have identified a number of reasons for the decline of birth rate since 1900. The reasons consist of social, economic, cultural, legal, political and technological factors Firstly the women position in society has changed. They have become more equal to men by able to work and have more choices. Many women are choosing to delay child birth, or not have children at all, this is so they can concentrate more upon there career along with there social life. For example in 2006, on in five women aged 45 was childless. Secondly children have become an economic liability. This has changed from the late 19th century because children were economic assets to their parents because they could be sent out to work from an early age and earn an income for the family. However, since then the role of children has changed. For example there are laws banning child labour, there has become compulsory schooling and raising the school leaving age which means that they will be more economically dependent on their parents for a longer period. Furthermore the changing norms bout what a child have a right to expect from their parents in material terms means that the cost of bringing up a...