A Level Sociology OCR Practice Exam

Which of the following is a reason for declining fertility rates?

1. Increased healthcare access

2. More women in the workforce

3. Government incentives for large families

4. Higher education levels

The correct answer is: More women in the workforce

The declining fertility rates can be significantly attributed to the increasing participation of women in the workforce. As more women pursue careers and gain economic independence, the dynamics of family planning and child-rearing change. Employment opportunities provide women with greater financial security and the freedom to delay starting a family, which often leads to smaller family sizes overall. In conjunction with this trend, career commitments frequently require time and resources, making it more challenging for women to balance work while raising children. This shift in priorities leads many couples to choose to have fewer children, reflecting broader societal changes related to gender roles and economic structures. While improved healthcare access and higher education levels also contribute to lower fertility rates, they do so in different ways. Increased healthcare access tends to reduce infant mortality and improve reproductive health, often empowering families to plan their children better. Higher education levels are commonly associated with a delayed entry into motherhood, yet the pressing influence of women's integration into the workforce is notable in its direct impact on fertility trends. Meanwhile, government incentives for large families typically encourage higher fertility rates rather than contributing to a decline.