Population and Urban Life Chapter 14 Population and Urban Life

Chapter Outline Populations, Large and Small Understanding Population Growth Population & Social Structure: Two Examples Population & Social Problems: Two Examples Population in the United States Urbanization Place of Residence and Social Relationships Where This Leaves Us

Populations, Large and Small Demography is the study of population—its size, growth, and composition. Demographers focus on births, deaths, and migration patterns. Currently, the world population is 7 billion—more than 2.5x as many people as in 1950. Population has increased for two basic reasons: 1. Mortality has declined rapidly. 2. Fertility rate has decreased only slowly.

Populations, Large and Small Mortality rate – number of deaths per every 1,000 people in a population in a given period. Fertility rate – number of births per 1,000 women in a population in a given period. Birth rate – number of births per 1,000 persons in a population in a given period. Migration – movement of people from geographic area to another. Internal migration – people move to different homes within a country. Immigration – people move to a different country.

Understanding Population Growth Human population continues to grow every day. World birth rate 2011: 20 births per 1000 people World mortality rate 2011: 8 deaths per 1000 In 2011, world population grew by 1.2%. At this rate, another 2.6 billion people will be added to the planet by 2025. Most growth happens in poorer nations; i.e., Africa’s population growing; Europe’s population shrinking.

Understanding Population Growth Population in Former Times Birth rates and mortality rates were about 40 per 1000 throughout most of human history. Populations were stable. The average women spent ages 20-45 pregnant or nursing and would produce between 6-10 children if she lived to 45. About 25% to 33% of all babies died before 1 year of age. Average life expectancy was 30-35yrs Infant mortality rate – the number of babies who die during or shortly after birth.

Understanding Population Growth Demographic Transition in the West From the 1700s, nutrition, hygiene, and living conditions improved in Europe and the U.S. The results were a decline in mortality rates. The late 1800s saw better sanitation and medical advances that improved life expectancy. Industrial Revolution changed work – no longer needed as many children for agricultural labor or to replace those that died. Demographic transition is the process through which a population shifts from a high birth and death rates to low birth and death rates.

Understanding Population Growth Demographic Transition in the Non-West Less developed nations: birth and death rates remained at preindustrial levels until 1900s. Development in Latin America, Taiwan, South Korea, and Singapore improved living conditions – death rates decreased. Latter 20th century, poorest countries had better sanitation and healthcare. Death rates lowered but birth rates did not change – population rose. Now birth rates have declined and death rates have increased in some areas due to AIDS.

Demographic Transition in the West In the preindustrial West, both birth and death rates were high. As living conditions improved and death rates began to fall, the population grew. Eventually birth rates also fell and population size stabilized. This is known as the demographic transition.

Sociology and you… Have you traveled to a less developed country? If you did, the odds are that you got a nasty stomach virus for a day or two, but suffered no health problems. Why are American tourists less susceptible to severe bouts of malaria, cholera, or dysentery, when these diseases kill millions in these countries each year? Unlike residents of less developed countries, tourists start out healthy. They have healthier immune systems. If they come in contact with dangerous germs, they should be able to fight against infection.

Ghana: Is Fertility Too High? Population and Social Structure Ghana: Is Fertility Too High? Birth rate: ~31 / 1000; death rate: ~8 / 1000 Effects of Social Roles on the Fertility Rate: Children are important in Ghana—women who do not bear children, particularly sons, are not valued. It is believed that that 4 children must be born for 2 to survive. Children are needed for agricultural and to care for aging parents. Effects of High Fertility Rates on Society: Schools, sanitation systems, or adequate infrastructure cannot be maintained under such great population pressures. Policy Response: contraception, education

Polygamous Families in Africa Many families in Africa, especially polygamous families, have numerous children, and overpopulation is a cause for some concern. Children are a source of status and position for Ghanaian women.

Italy: Is Fertility Too Low? Population and Social Structure Italy: Is Fertility Too Low? The Effects of Social Roles on Fertility Rates: Italian women are educated and many work. Women’s status is close to men’s. Children are less necessary. Birth rate is 1.3 / 1000. Zero population growth is when fertility rate is about 2.1 per woman – replacement of parents and a bit to spare. The Effects of Low Fertility Rates on Society: Older generation is as large / larger than younger – aging work force, “graying” society, high social costs. Policy Responses: birth incentives, immigration

Families in Europe In Europe, North America, South Korea, and China, many families have only one child, and under population is increasingly a cause for concern. Fertility incentives such as paid maternity, cash bonuses, and housing subsidies are awarded for having more children. Costs of raising children are higher. Incentives have not resulted in raised birth rates.

Population Change in Europe

Population and Social Problems Environmental Devastation: A Population Problem? Deforestation is devastating tropical rainforests in Brazil, the Philippines, and elsewhere. Deforestation creates more land for food production, but top soils are soon eroded, leaving desert or barren rock. Population pressures can contribute to numerous social problems including: ◦ environmental devastation ◦ overuse and misuse of resources ◦ poverty

Population and Social Problems Poverty in the Least Developed World Poverty and malnutrition result from: ◦ war ◦ corruption ◦ inequality in nondemocratic countries ◦ exploitive world economic system Policy Responses: ◦ family-planning programs ◦ economic and educational development ◦ improving the status of women

Poverty in the Least Developed World Efforts to reduce birth rates in poor nations like Afghanistan have been most successful when they have combined family-planning programs with increases in access to jobs and education—especially for girls and women.

Population in the United States Fertility Rates Zero population growth has been accompanied by sharp reductions in social class, racial, and religious differences in fertility rates. Mortality Rates Average age at death is in the late 70s. Many people who live to age 65 can expect to live another 20 years and more. AIDS remains leading cause of death in people aged 25-44. This trend is more significant in African Americans and Latinos.

Population in the United States Migration patterns Immigration accounts for an increase of about 1 million people per year. Two groups of immigrants: 1) educated, English-speaking professionals 2) Low skilled, non-English speaking workers. The Hispanic population has grown markedly in recent years. Because of the economic downturn, immigration has declined slightly—the U.S. is less attractive to immigrants.

The Changing U.S. Population Fig 14.3 with revised data for 2020 and 2050 If immigration and fertility rates remain stable, the proportion of Hispanic and Asian Americans will likely increase and the proportion of non-Hispanic whites will likely decrease.

Population in the United States Internal Immigration In 2010, internal migration was the lowest in 60 years. National economic conditions did not favor relocation. Since the 1970s, trends have been movement to the South and West from the Midwest and Northeastern states. A case of internal migration: In 2005, Hurricane Katrina drove about 1 million people from the New Orleans area. While some have been able to return, the population of New Orleans remains 40% lower. Many hurricane refugees sink into deeper poverty—many still living in “temporary” mobile homes 7 years later.

Population in the United States Urbanization is the process of concentrating populations in cities. Suburbs are communities (primarily residential) that develop outside of cities. Suburbanization is the growth of suburbs. 1850 – only 2% world population lived in cities with 100,000 or more people. Today – more than half the world population and over 80% of U.S. population lives in cities or metropolitan areas.

Theories of Urban Growth and Decline Urbanization Theories of Urban Growth and Decline Structural Functional Theory: Urban Ecology: Urban development is seen as evolutionary and functional; efficient for distributing goods and services. Conflict Perspective: White Flight and Government Subsidies Finds nothing natural in urban growth and decline. Competing economic and political forces lead to growth or decline of cities.

The Nature of Modern Cities Urbanization The Nature of Modern Cities The Industrial City: Density of housing, retail, and manufacturing Central business district The Postindustrial City: Move from secondary to tertiary production Easier communication and transportation Urban sprawl and edge cities Yorkshire, England 1950

Urbanization Urbanization in the United States A metropolitan statistical area is a county that has a city of 50,000 or more in it, plus associated neighboring counties. A nonmetropolitan statistical area is a county that has no major city in it and is not closely tied to such a city. Edge cities are suburban centers that have an existence largely separate from the cities that spawned them.

Urbanization Urbanization in the Less-Developed World Problems: fast paced growth; inadequate infrastructure (roads, schools, sewers) Differs from developed world: high rate of births over deaths many cities are primarily government, trade, and administrative centers – offer few working-class jobs. Unskilled become part of informal economy of artisans, peddlers, and beggars.

Urbanization Trends Around the World Urbanization is growing around the world. It is more common in the more developed nations but is grown more rapidly in the less developed nations. SOURCE: United Nations 2010

Place of Residence and Social Relationships Urban Living Theoretical Views: Earlier theorists viewed the greater size, heterogeneity, and density of urban living as leading to a breakdown of the normative and moral fabric of everyday life. Today, theorists believe that individuals experience the city as a mosaic of small worlds that are manageable and knowable.

Urban living Urban farming Many people enjoy the excitement of city life. In the city, they are freed from the necessity of liking the people they live next to. They are selective with intimates. So many activities are within walking distance. Urban farming The decline of industrial cities like Detroit is being replaced by urban initiatives. Community gardens now stand on the sites once occupied by Victorian mansions, homes, and businesses.

Place of Residence and Social Relationships Urban Living Realities of Urban Living: Social networks – no evidence that urban people are disproportionately lonely, alienated, or estranged. Neighborhood integration – physical proximity is no longer a primary basis of intimacy; family and friends remain intimates. Quality of life – cities are exciting and convenient. They also have liabilities of noise, crime, and higher cost of living. Many opt for suburbs and small towns.

Place of Residence and Social Relationships Suburban Living Growth of suburbs; crowded small lots; singles, childless, and empty nesters Suburban problems: 1. weak governments 2. car dependence 3. social isolation

Small Towns and Rural Living Place of Residence and Social Relationships Small Towns and Rural Living About 17% of the nation’s population lives in rural areas or small towns. Some are mostly white, others African American, and still others Hispanic. Rural living ranges from the poorest to the wealthiest. In desirable rural areas, good-paying jobs are scarce and housing expensive. Many rural families live in inexpensive trailers or manufactured homes.

Where this leaves us… The world’s overall population growth affects all of us. Population growth means the use of huge amounts of resources. The growth in less developed nations arises from poverty and produced more poverty Population loss in Europe means too few young people and too many old. Population is directly connected to urbanization—the migration of people to urban centers is increasing. Cities emerged in response to industrialization—a process that continues in developing nations. Densities, social policies, and urban problems have stimulated growth of suburbs and edge cities.

Quick Quiz

The birthrate is the: number of children that a woman has during her lifetime. number of births per 1000 people in a population at a given time. incidence of childbearing. number of women of childbearing age in the population.

Answer: B The crude birthrate is the number of births per 1000 people in a population at a given time.

Demography is the study of: population. urbanization. transition. population shift.

Answer: A Demography is the study of population.

The demographic transition is: the process of moving from the traditional balance of high birth- and death-rates to a new balance of low birth- and death-rates. the process of moving to a society with increasing mortality and fertility. when a country has a high fertility rate. when a population experiences negative population growth.

Answer: A The demographic transition is the process of moving from the traditional balance of high birth- and death-rates to a new balance of low birth- and death-rates.

An edge city is: a city that is “cutting-edge” with new and exciting trends a city bordering on a county line. a city completely dependent on the central city area for retail and services a city that formerly was dependent on the central city area but now is separate and autonomous from the adjacent central city.

Answer: A An edge city is a city that formerly was dependent on the central city area but now is separate and autonomous from the adjacent central city area.