What was the birth rate in the 1920's compared to 2006.?

Question

Im in the 9th grade and i really need help. This is for my history project, and it is due today.PLEASE HELP ME!

Answer 1

Birthrate in the 1920s hovered around 28% while in 2006 it was near 15%. Now for the important part--the interpretation of this data. Why the difference?

1. In the 1920s birth control was virtually non-existant and very difficult to get even if you were married. A doctor had to sign a prescription for couples even if they simply wanted a pack of condoms. Of course oral contraceptives will not be developed until the late 1950s and not released until of May of 1960 (Enovid-E)

2. Much fewer women worked outside the home and hence were more involved in raising their family themselves.

3. The accepted "ideal" wife in the 1950s was to have 3-4 children (or more) and stayed at home and worked on her domesticity skills (cooking, cleaning, ironing, waxing the floors, etc...)

4. The values of America focused more on family than on occupation and material wealth (as it did in the 2000s.)


And there you have it.

Answer 2

1920 2,950,000 Rate: 27.7
Rates are per 1,000 population

2006
14.14 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)