1. Childbearing in Canada HHS 4M Unit #4

2. How many is enough? The present situation in Canada shows that couples are beginning to have children later in life. Furthermore couples are having fewer children. Parents with larger families are often concerned that they will not be able to spend enough quality time with each of their children. The cost or raising children is also seen as a limit. Some parents struggle to afford lessons, sports, post-secondary education etc.

3. With Your Elbow Partner Create a top 10 list of factors that couples would consider when deciding on the number of children to have…

4. Some factors that couples consider when deciding on the number of children they will have include: Finances Fertility problems Accidental pregnancies Luck of the draw in terms of gender Time and energy of parents Health risks Strength of marriage – probability of divorce Timing in terms of career path The number of children in the family of origin The temperament of earlier children

5. Social Conditions affecting Childbearing Decline of family wage – With the decline of the family wage, men were no longer seen as solely responsible for providing the family income. Women able to earn a more equal income – thus not discouraging the employment of women. An increase in employment led to later childbearing and fewer children.

6. Increased Divorce Rate With the possibility of divorce, couples may have fewer children. If a couple is considering divorce, they may choose not to have children. The occurrence of subsequent marriages may result in child bearing at later ages and larger extended families.

7. Developments In Contraception Women and men are able to have sexual intimacy without the ‘concern’ of pregnancy. This coincidentally has led to later marriage, later childbearing, and fewer children. As well, many women and couples are able to choose when to have children and how many children to have. – How might this contradict Church Teaching relating to Family Life and Marriage?

8. Female Employment Women and Couples may delay having children in order to complete their education and solidify satisfying careers. When women are employed, childbearing is delayed and the number of children decreases. As well, there are fewer births, as women often return to the job market.

9. Genetic Testing Genetic testing is often more common with later pregnancies. This is representative of the birthing technology that has allowed parents to determine the general health of the fetus before birth and encourage viable pregnancies for previous infertile couples. This may partially explain the increase in pregnancies particularly between the ages of 35-39.