Question 1: Define the term 'demography' and explain its relevance to the study of families.

Answer: Demography is the statistical study of populations, including factors like birth rates, death rates, and migration. It is relevant to families because it helps us understand population trends and how they influence family structures and societal changes.

Question 2: List three factors that can cause changes in family sizes within a population.

Answer: Factors include: 1) Changes in birth rates, 2) Mortality rates, 3) Migration patterns.

Question 3: Describe how an increase in life expectancy might impact family structures and support systems.

Answer: An increase in life expectancy can lead to an aging population, more multi-generational households, and greater demand for elder care. It may also result in smaller family sizes for younger generations due to lower birth rates.

Question 4: Explain what is meant by 'population pyramid' and how it can be used to understand family trends.

Answer: A population pyramid is a graphical representation showing the age and gender distribution of a population. It helps identify trends such as aging populations or youth bulges, which influence family dynamics and social services.

Question 5: Identify and explain two reasons why birth rates might decline in a country.

Answer: Reasons include: 1) Increased access to contraception and family planning, 2) Economic factors such as high costs of raising children or economic instability.

Question 6: Draw a simple sketch of a population pyramid that shows a young and rapidly growing population.

Answer: The sketch should depict a pyramid with a wide base, narrowing towards the top, indicating high birth rates and a large proportion of young people.

Question 7: Discuss how migration can influence family structures in a country.

Answer: Migration can introduce new family forms, increase diversity in family practices, and affect population size. It may lead to extended family networks or changes in household compositions.

Question 8: What are 'fertility rates' and how do they affect the size of families over time?

Answer: Fertility rates measure the average number of children born to a woman over her lifetime. High fertility rates increase family size and population growth, while low rates lead to smaller families and population decline.

Question 9: Explain the concept of 'aging population' and discuss one social challenge it creates.

Answer: An aging population is one where a large proportion of people are elderly. One challenge is increased demand for healthcare and social services, which can strain government resources.

Question 10: Sketch a graph that shows the trend of birth rates over the past 50 years in the UK, assuming a decline.

Answer: The graph should have the x-axis labeled with years (from 1973 to 2023) and the y-axis with birth rates. The line should descend gradually, indicating a decline over time.