Fertility, Research Paper Example

Abstract

The paper discusses the link between high levels of fertility in the developing world and high levels of infant mortality. The impact of education and socioeconomic status of women on fertility rates is evaluated. The paper is designed to show why developing countries were historically associated with the rates of fertility higher than those in the developed world.

Dear Guests,

throughout the human history, the developing world was characterized by higher levels of fertility compared to those in the developed countries. Contrary to any logic, and against any expectations, the developed world was not able to maintain high birth rates, and even the highest quality healthcare, improved education, and excellent social care programs for children did not result in stable population growth in the developed countries. It appears, however, that these are education and residence, as well as infant mortality rates and access to contraception that predetermine higher or lower fertility rates in countries. And this is because the developed world promotes free access to contraception and lower infant mortality rates that mothers do not see it as necessary to have as many children as they can.

The link between high fertility rates and high infant mortality is well-recognized. In the developed world, with its low quality of medical care and distorted visions of social care for children, “many parents will have a lot of children in the expectation that some will die because of the high infant mortality rate” (Ashworth & Waterlow, 1992). Infant mortality is one of the major medical and social problems in the developing world. According to Ashworth and Waterlow (1992), in developing countries, the under-fives children have fewer opportunities to cross the critical infant stage, with 80% of infant deaths taking place in the first 6 months of life. For these reasons, to make sure that at least some children live to become adults, and that parents have their continuous support and assistance, they give birth to as many children as the physically can, even if they are socially and economically unable to support them.

I would like to attract your attention to the fact that high fertility rates in developing countries are not only due to high infant mortality rates, but can also be the results of numerous economic, cultural, and social influences. The simplest explanation to high fertility rates is in the low or restricted access to contraceptives in the developing world. Either due to the lack of financial resources, or for cultural/ religious considerations, women in developed countries rarely have knowledge, experience, and opportunity necessary to avoid pregnancies. That residence, education, and socioeconomic status are the three critical fertility variables. In simpler terms, these are residence, education, and female socioeconomic status which influence the rates of fertility in the developing populations. For example, in the developing countries, the prevalence of rural territories and the lack of educational facilities for women can be partially responsible for the growing fertility rates, because “urban women are more likely to be better educated, to be working in the modern sector, or to have modern sector employment as a foreseeable future career option” (McDevitt et al, 1996). The level of education is directly associated with birth rates, because educated women either possess reasonable knowledge about contraception, or use their education to pursue career goals instead of devoting themselves to family obligations. At the same time, educated women will have lower rates of infant and child mortality (McDevitt et al, 1996), which will also impact birth rates in the opposite direction. Very often, not the lack of contraceptives but religious beliefs and norms in the developing world do not leave women a chance to prevent numerous pregnancies. Traditionally, the developing Muslim countries displayed high rates of fertility (6 per woman), but these trends gradually disappear; only some of the currently developing Muslim countries like Somalia and Afghanistan still promote a ban on the use of contraceptives by women (Zuehlke, 2009).

In this discussion session, we have come to conclude that high fertility rates in developing countries are the direct results of the complex overlapping influences, including infant mortality, residence, socioeconomic and educational status of women. Religious influences are still relevant, although they are gradually losing their significance. Obviously, if women are afraid of losing their children, they will more likely to have as many children as they can, to make sure that there is at least someone to support them in their daily activities.

Thank you for your attention.

References

Ashworth, A. & Waterlow, J.C. (1992). Infant mortality in developing countries. Arch Dis Child, 57 (11): 882-884.

McDevitt, T.M., Adlakha, A., Fowler, T.B. & Harris-Bourne, V. (1996). Trends in fertility and contraceptive use in the developing world. DIANE Publishing.

Zuehlke, E. (2009). Changes in fertility rates among Muslims in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. Population Reference Bureau. Retrieved October 19, 2009 from http://www.prb.org/Articles/2009/karimpolicyseminar.aspx