Sociology test Revision
Define Demography.
Study of the characteristics of human populations e.g size and structure and how its changed.
What are the 4 main factors that influence the size of a country's population?
1. Death rate
2. Birth rate
3. Imigration- Number of people entering the uk for a period of time at least a year.
4. Emigration- Number of people leaving the UK for a period of time at least a year.
Define Globilization.
The growing interconnec of socities across the world, spread of the same cultures, goods and interests.
Push factors of migration.
Escaping poverty, lack of jobs, effects of war.
Pull factors for migration.
Better job opportunities, Education, Healthcare.
How has globilization effected the population.
1. More asylum seekers- deemed as underserving looking for benefits, housing & jobs.
2. Changing families- Migrants from eastern europe tend to have larger families, new 'babyboom'
3. Greater Cultural Diversity- different cultures and ways of life come into contact with one another.
What is an ageing population?
One in which the average age is getting higher.
Advantages of an ageing populatio.
1. Boost to the economy- Grey market means more older people have more disposable income, retirement age is higher.
2. Family support- Grandparents provide unpaid childcare, provide financial, practical and emotiona; assistance to family
3. More sociol cohesion & community involvement- DCMS survey in 2013 found nearly 4.9 million people ages 65+ take part in volunteering (raising money, campigning)
Define Life Expentancy.
Estimate of how long the average person can be expected to live.
Define Birth Rate.
Number of live births per 1000 person each year.
Define Death Rate.
Number of deaths per 1000 person each year.
Improved hygiene, sanitation.
1. Public sewer systems
2. Clean running water
3. Better diet, info on nutrition
4. Advances in surgery
5. Vaccines
Higher living standereds
Higher wages, buy better food
Better housing conditions, toilets, heating and hot water.
Public Health & Welfare
NHS provide free healthcare better atenatal & postnatal care
Childbirths more safe
GP appointments
Improved working conditions
Machines more safe.
Technology used.
Laws in place to protect workers.
Define General Fertility Rate
Number of live births per 1000 women of child bearing age per year.
Define Total Fertility Rate
Average number of children women will have during child-bearing years.
Reasons for the decline in Birth Rate.
1. Contraception- Safe & Cheap, attiitude changed from disapproval to acceptanc. Family planning is easier.
2. Rising Cost Of Children- One child rose from 16% in 1972 to 20% now. Education, clothing, food, consumer goods.
3. Changing position of women- Greater employment opportunities, prioritise work rather than children. Limit
Disadvantages of ageing population.
1. Burden of Dependancy- support by a decreasing proportion of working population. Could cause higher taxes to cover health care
2. More family hardship(marxists)- Family could suffer financial hardships as adults have to support themselves, children & parents.
3. More work for women(feminists)- Helping care for the elderly falls particularly to women.
4. More illhealth & disability- Cancer, heart disease. Rise in financial costs of the NHS.
What does LAT stand for?
Living Alone Together.
2 reasons for the increase in LATS.
1. Modern technology- texts, calls means close contact between partners.
2. Divorce & Separation rates- LAT more common & sociolly acceptable.
Who was Wilkinson (1994)
Argues theres been a 'genderquak'
Women percieve themselves & their role in society, more career & financially independant.
Define Separation.
Where couples agree to live sepately without seeking a divorce.
Define 'empty shell' marriage.
Where partners stay together but theres no love or intimacy between couples.
Changes in family
More child-centredness
Decline in family size
Rise in divorce, decline in marriage b
Growth of lone parents
What is the divorce rate?
Number of divorces per 1000 married people per year
Reasons for increase in divorce.
1. Changing sociol attitudes, less stigma
2. Changing role of women, growing financial independance
3. Changes in law, divorce is cheaper and easier
4. Welfare state, support lone parents.
What is Secularization.
Process whereby religious thinking, practises decline and loose influence in society.
What is the life course?
Sequence of significant events individuals experience through life.
Normal life courses.
Short relationship in early twenties, cohabitate, then marriage, 2 children, jobs then retirement.
Why are more lone parent families?
1. Reproductive tech- IVF allows pregnancy without male.
2. Greater economic independance of women- More job opportunities & through support from welfare state.
3. Contraception- Men feel less responsible to marry due to pregnancy. Women feel less pressure to marry with father.
Lone parenthood.
Percentage of lone parent families have tripled since 1971.