Changing Family Size Research Articles

‘Why give birth to many children when you cannot take care of them?’ Determinants of family size among dual-earner couples in Ghana

The family size in Ghana is increasingly changing from large to small family sizes due to modernization. As societies become modernized, couples begin to limit their family size despite the high value society places on children in marriage and the family. In this study, we explore the factors influencing reproductive behaviour among Ghanaian dual-earner couples by highlighting the subjective views on factors that influence the number of children they have or hope to have as a couple. A qualitative approach was used to collect and analyse data. Data were gathered through in-depth interviews with 47 dual-earner couples from rural and urban communities selected from five regions in Ghana. Twenty key informant interviews were held with community leaders to provide the social context of the study areas. The data were analysed thematically. The study observed that there were no differences in the factors influencing family size in rural and urban communities in Ghana. Also, the findings are consistent with previous studies that identified factors such as the cost of raising children and women’s participation in the labour force although the meanings and interpretations that couples attribute to these factors have changed slightly. Couples’ family size was influenced by the need to ensure a comfortable life for their children. Access to modern contraceptives and infertility also came up as influencing family size. Overall, the changing family size among dual earner couples can be attributed to a combination of factors that are interrelated and interdependent.

Firewood consumption pattern, availability and coping strategies adopted to mitigate firewood scarcity: a case of rural households in Ghana

Firewood is the dominant fuel type used by rural households in Ghana. However, the scarcity of firewood species has raised concerns about the sustainable use of this fuel type. This study investigated the firewood consumption pattern, firewood species used by rural households in the past and those presently in use and compared the strategies being adopted by households to mitigate firewood scarcity. Using multistage random sampling technique, 240 households were sampled from 12 rural communities 6 from the semi-deciduous ecological zone and 6 from the coastal savanna ecological zone. Firewood consumption (1.62–2.77 kg/capita/day) is higher than the figure reported earlier (1.0 kg/capita/day) in Ghana and this could be due to changing family size and structure and also to the relatively low quality of firewood in use presently. Geographical location and availability of alternative and complementary fuels are important determinants of firewood consumption pattern. The number of tree species used for firewood by rural households has increased by 12% in the last 20 years in the semi-deciduous zone, but has reduced to 16% in the coastal savanna zone and this reflects the difference in floristic richness of the two ecological zones. In both samples, even though an impressive number of fruit and exotic species was reported being used for firewood, the use of such species was limited to a few households, an indication of less desirability of such species. Tree planting appears to be the most sustainable problem-solving coping strategy adopted by rural households even though this strategy is practiced by a small percentage. Policies aimed at encouraging rural households to engage in tree planting and adopt the use of alternative fuels could ensure sustainable use of biomass for fuel.

Using Photovoice Methodology to Investigate Facilitators and Barriers to Food Acquisition and Preparation by Rural Older Women

This research investigates facilitators and barriers that rural women aged 65 to 75 years in Southwestern Ontario experience in acquiring and preparing food through the use of photovoice methodology. Eighteen participants in five rural communities used a camera and log book to document their experiences and perspectives relating to the acquisition and preparation of food, and they each participated in two focus groups to engage in critical dialogue and knowledge sharing regarding the meaning and significance of the pictures they took. Analysis of photographs, log books, and focus group data revealed 13 themes, 3 emerging as facilitators to food acquisition and preparation (availability of food, social networks and values, personal values and resources), 5 as barriers (adjusting to changing family size, winter weather, food labeling issues, grocery shopper resources, limited physical capacity), and 5 as both facilitators and barriers (economics, valuing a healthy diet, technology changes, transportation, location and nature of grocery stores). Data also revealed rurality, age, and gender as foundationally influential factors affecting rural older women's food acquisition and preparation.

Changing Family Size in England and Wales: Place, Class and Demography, 1891–1911. By Eilidh Garrett, Alice Reid, Kevin Schürer, and Simon Szreter (New York, Cambridge University Press, 2001) 526 pp. $90.00

<i>Changing Family Size in England and Wales: Place, Class and Demography, 1891–1911</i>. By Eilidh Garrett, Alice Reid, Kevin Schürer, and Simon Szreter (New York, Cambridge University Press, 2001) 526 pp. $90.00

Review: Changing Family Size in England and Wales: Place, Class and Demography, 1891-1911

Review: Changing Family Size in England and Wales: Place, Class and Demography, 1891-1911

Changing Family Size in England and Wales: Place, Class and Demography, 1891–1911. By Eilidh Garret, Alice Reid, Kevin Schürer, and Simon Szreter. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2001. Pp. xxiii, 526. $90.00

Changing Family Size in England and Wales: Place, Class and Demography, 1891–1911. By Eilidh Garret, Alice Reid, Kevin Schürer, and Simon Szreter. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2001. Pp. xxiii, 526. $90.00 - Volume 63 Issue 2

Eilidh Garrett, Alice Reid, Kevin Schürer and Simon Szreter, Changing family size in England and Wales: place, class and demography, 1891–1911, Cambridge Studies in Population, Economy and Society in Past Time, Cambridge University Press, 2001, pp. xxiii, 526, £60.00, $90.00 (hardback 0-521-80153-2).

Eilidh Garrett, Alice Reid, Kevin Schürer and Simon Szreter, Changing family size in England and Wales: place, class and demography, 1891–1911, Cambridge Studies in Population, Economy and Society in Past Time, Cambridge University Press, 2001, pp. xxiii, 526, £60.00, $90.00 (hardback 0-521-80153-2).

Eilidh Garrett, Alice Reid, Kevin Schürer, and Simon Szreter. Changing Family Size in England and Wales: Place, Class and Demography, 1891–1911. (Cambridge Studies in Population, Economy and Society in Past Time.) New York: Cambridge University Press. 2001. Pp. xxiii, 528. $90.00. ISBN 0-521-80153-2.

Eilidh Garrett, Alice Reid, Kevin Schürer, and Simon Szreter. Changing Family Size in England and Wales: Place, Class and Demography, 1891–1911. (Cambridge Studies in Population, Economy and Society in Past Time.) New York: Cambridge University Press. 2001. Pp. xxiii, 528. $90.00. ISBN 0-521-80153-2. - Volume 35 Issue 2

Eilidh Garrett, Alice Reid, Kevin Schürer and Simon Szreter, Changing Family Size in England and Wales: Place, Class and Demography, 1891–1911

Eilidh Garrett, Alice Reid, Kevin Schürer and Simon Szreter, Changing Family Size in England and Wales: Place, Class and Demography, 1891–1911

THE INCOME TAX TREATMENT OF THE FAMILY: AN INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVE

treatment of the family and illustrates the The purpose of this paper is to see mix and magnitude of family tax proviwhether anything can be learned from a sions. comparative analysis of the techniques used Studies of the tax treatment of the famin eleven industrialized countries to allow ily have traditionally focused on three isfor family responsibilities in income taxes. sues: marriage neutrality, horizontal eqThe analysis highlights patterns among uity between married couples, and these countries in the tax treatment of the progressivity. However, there are other interesting questions often less discussed. family and illustrates the mix and nwg- For example, how is horizontal equity afnitude of family tax provisions. Estimates fected by changing family size? How do of 1989 effective average tax rates on labor family tax burdens change as the distriearnings by different family types and in- bution of earnings between spouses varcome levels are given for each country. Lit- ies? With the rise in the proportion of onetle uniformity in the tax treatment of the parent households in the United States and family is found, but some general conclu- the incidence of many of these families in sions and suggestions for policy are drawn. the lower tail of the income distribution, how are heads of household treated for tax

THE RISE OF SIBLING JEALOUSY IN THE TWENTIETH CENTURY

Until the 1920s adults demonstrated little awareness of jealousy among young children. Neither experts, nor prescriptive advice‐givers, nor parents evinced explicit concern. A rising tide of attention developed from about 1925 onward, as childrearing manuals routinely delivered dire and lengthy warnings about sibling rivalry and parents began to note the issue as one of their most pressing worries. The problem was defined both as a challenge in families with young children, where physical injury as well as lasting unpleasantness might result from uncurbed jealousy, and as a problem for the adult personality if jealousy were allowed to fester. Various strategies were recommended to minimize tension and to reassure of love; jealousy of a sibling was to be accepted but talked out, subtly labeled as childish. The reasons for this substantial shift in the rules about jealousy include changing family size, which heightened actual sibling rivalry over previous levels; expert reassessments of early childhood; and a growing desire to produce smooth, conflict‐free personalities as part of a more managerial, service‐oriented economy. While the intensity of concern about sibling rivalry abated slightly by the 1960s, the basic rules remained in place; the new tone constituted an internalization of the earlier rules and tactics. Finally, the impact of the new structures on sibling jealousy can be traced in several areas: a real change in emotional relations among siblings, as children bonded together less; new emotional tensions in family life that could alter wider parental perceptions of children; a growing desire among adults to shun jealousy as a childish emotion though often an inability fully to do so. The change in the 20th‐century pattern of jealousy deserves serious attention as part of the new complexities and repressive requirements of American emotional life.

Family Size, Household Production, and Life Cycle Saving

"Changing family size and labour-leisure choice are introduced into a life cycle model. Saving corresponds with empirical observation in some ways better, and in others worse, as a result. Changing family size reduces aggregate saving and generates substantial dissaving at peak size, indicating that bequests, uncertainty, and liquidity constraints should also be modelled. However, the age profile of consumption is humped, and labour-leisure choice produces a drop in consumption on retirement, both corresponding well with observation." (SUMMARY IN FRE)

Observations on all births (23, 970) in Birmingham, 1947. VII. Effect of changing family size on infant mortality.

Observations on all births (23, 970) in Birmingham, 1947. VII. Effect of changing family size on infant mortality.

The Population of the World in the Year 2000

Abstract The demographic development of the population of the world is divided into the three regions of Incipient Decline, Transitional Growth, and High Growth Potential. For each of these, the factors of changing birth rates, death rates, and family size are considered in their relation to the changes taking place in the social structure and national economy of the countries included in each region.