What are the MDGs? Where did they come from? Cite an example of ...

[jwb375]

What are the MDGs? Where did they come from? Cite an example of one goal and the target used to measure progress in attaining it.
 
  What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Discuss the five specific factors that influence the number of children a poor couple may desire.
 
  What will be an ideal response?

[blakcmamba]

Answer to Question 1

MDG = Millennium Development Goals. See Table 9-2 for a list of the Millennium Development Goals and Targets. An example of a new target would be Target 7: Achieve, by 2015, universal access to reproductive health. President Obama is attempting to reverse policies in the past that prevented the United States from providing aid to countries that provide or give counsel about abortion.

Answer to Question 2

Security in one's old age: In many countries the only means the elderly have to support themselves are their children. Only in developed countries with social security, welfare, retirement plans, and nursing homes is it not the norm to see parents supported by their children.
Infant and childhood mortality: High infant mortality rate is associated with high birthrate. If you expect that a number of your children will die, you expect to have a larger number of children.
Helping hands: In a developing country, children are economic assets. At a very young age they begin to contribute to the family's financial well-being. In a developed country, children are an economic liability. It is not until the children reach adulthood or beyond that they become economically independent.
Importance of education: If education is seen as important, a child is more of an economic liability. The longer a child is in school, the longer it takes for each child to gain economic independence or contribute to the family's economic well-being. When a child is in school, he/she is not contributing to the family income and it costs money to support the child (food, clothing, shelter, school supplies, etc.).
Status of women: If education is limited to only men, the decrease in fertility rates is less than if women have the opportunity to become educated. If for no other reason, being in school provides a socially acceptable alternative to motherhood. The same can be said for access to careers. If a woman has socially acceptable options other than motherhood, then a large percentage of women will delay child bearing. The more years that elapse between the age at which a child could be conceived and when the first child is conceived, the fewer children will be born.
Availability of contraceptives: The ability to obtain contraceptives when they are desired will decrease fertility rates. Studies show that women are interested in increasing the spacing between children or limiting the number of children, but access to contraceptives in many countries and in rural areas is limited.