CFD 135 Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: Total Fertility Rate, Natalism, Infant Mortality

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CFD CHAPTER 8: Deciding about parenthood
Fertility trends in the US
-the total fertility rate (TFR) is the number of births a typical woman will have over her lifetime
-the TFR dropped sharply from a high of more than 3.5 at the peak of the baby boom to the lowest level
ever recorded: 1.7 in 1976
-In recent years, the total fertility rate has fluctuated around 2.0, on average. American women are
having around two children each. (strong preference for two children by married mothers)
-depression years, women favored large families
-causes for long term decline that began in 1800s due to industrial revolution
Improved health and living conditions-less infant mortality
-child bearing has increasingly shifted to higher ages
Differential fertility rates
-fertility rates vary among segments of the population
-women who are not in the labor force have higher birth rates and a larger completed family size on
average than employed women
-nonhispanic whites very similar to total population, although slightly lower
-afr am higher fertility than whites currently
-beliefs and values about having children vary among cultures
Things to consider when deciding about parenthood
-There are social pressures
-There are rewards and costs of parenthood
-is there marital happiness
-variations in birthrates reflect decisions shaped by values and attitudes about children
-in a 2008 survey, women over half of all pregnancies to American women were unintended
(20% unwanted, 31% mistimed)
Social Pressures to have children
-less pronounced than in the past
-but has to be justified to not have children
Social pressure to have children- so called pronatalist bias- might influence fertility decisions
-soe of the strogest pressures a oe fro a ouple’s parets
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Document Summary

The total fertility rate (tfr) is the number of births a typical woman will have over her lifetime. The tfr dropped sharply from a high of more than 3. 5 at the peak of the baby boom to the lowest level ever recorded: 1. 7 in 1976. In recent years, the total fertility rate has fluctuated around 2. 0, on average. American women are having around two children each. (strong preference for two children by married mothers) Causes for long term decline that began in 1800s due to industrial revolution. Child bearing has increasingly shifted to higher ages. Fertility rates vary among segments of the population. Women who are not in the labor force have higher birth rates and a larger completed family size on average than employed women. Nonhispanic whites very similar to total population, although slightly lower. Beliefs and values about having children vary among cultures. Variations in birthrates reflect decisions shaped by values and attitudes about children.

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