Introduction to Sociology
1. Summary
Demography is study of populations, changes in fertility, mortality, marriages, and cases of disease in a communitiy. It is very useful tool to study social phenomena. This demography brought societal changes which are both scientific and industrial. Life tables for insuranes and censuses for taxation and political representation. Studying demography needs large data sets--to acquire large data, demographic indicators such as fertility and mortality rates are needed.
Fertility or Fecundity is ability of females to produce babies. Lots of concepts relating to fertility or fecudity are crude birth rate, general fertility rate, age-specific fertility, total fertility rate, gross reproduction rate and net reproduction rate and replacement level. Unfortunately,Trends of fertility rates are on the decrease. There are various factors of decline. One of the factors of fertility rates are educational attainments of females. Women in higher-levels of educational attainments are likely to result low fertility rates. Another factor is country's level of development.
Mortality is related to 'death' which is fate of human. There are three concepts relating to mortality are crude death rate, infant mortality rate and life expectancy. It is interesting that education is great indicator of longevity. The smarter you are, The longer you are able to live because education influence on health-related behaviors.
There is phenomenon called 'Demographic Transition' in demography. Demographic transition can be divided into three stages--both birth and death rates are high, birth rates are high but death rates are low and both birth and death rates are low. Overpopulation is population over resources. Thomas Malthus early predicted overpopulation. He argued that 'population control' because through mass famine and huge lack of food resources, populations would limited. These 'overpopulation' effect can lead to child poverty, lower life expectanceis, little surplus food and so on.
After Overpopulation period, Underpopulation phenomenon starts. Number of people are so low that are below the level. This is also one of the problems of society.
Urbanization is movement of people from country to city(urban). It occurs in many countries. Then, Why Is this happen? Becasue Cities can provide more opportunities of vast areas(ex. economic and other services) Urbanization influence on economic, environment and other parts.
2. My Opinion & Questions
Through this chapter, It's good to get to know about demography. Some of the concepts such as Overpopulation and Underpopulation are interesting. Standard of overpopulation is 'resource' was also interesting point. And factors of both fertility and morality are related to education was surprising. I have never thought about correlation with both rates and education.
3. Questions.
Predict the future demography! Overpopulation? Stable? or Underpopulation?
If it is stable, how population can be stable?
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