Population Dynamics
Student’s name
Professor’s name
Class
Date
Population dynamics helps examine how species change in a given period of time. Factors affecting the population size and dynamics include per capita income, migration, emigration, birth, and population death rates. In the 20th century, remarkable growth was recorded in many aspects of America (Kandel and Brown, 2006). There was a reduction in the mortality rate and increased childbearing. As life expectancy increased and fertility rate decreased, a concern emerged on the aging population. According to the United States census conducted in this decade, there is a drop in the net international migration and natural increase and the nation’s population’s resulting slowdown. This essay’s crux is to evaluate, analyze, and assess the population dynamics in America, the implications of the aging population, the effects of social contexts on health, the Hispanic culture, and the physical challenges associated with living longer.
According to brown Kandel and Brown (2006), through a large part of the 20th century, America’s nonmetropolitan areas experienced increased growth due to increased births compared to deaths. The extent of migration loss changed in each decade, but the pattern was still the same between 1990 and 2000. Migration gains increased by 67 % of the total population. The nonmetropolitan population increased by 3.5 million people from the 1990s compared to the 1.4 million migrating from the nonmetropolitan areas. The net migration gain, which stood at seven percent, was greater than that in the metropolitan areas, which was at 6.1%. The natural increase in the metropolitan areas of America accounted for 33% between 1990 and 2000. The birth was more than deaths by about 1.7 million. The gain caused by increased birth and decreased death in metropolitan areas decreased during the 1990s. Reduction in the natural increase was also reflected by increased incidences associated with a natural decrease since 1990. These incidences include the migration over a given period of time, mortality, and fertility rates. High growth rates experienced in the early and middle 1990s were a reflection of the rural rebound. The rural rebound followed by decreased net migration rates led to an averagely high geographical consistency.
Kandel and Brown (2006) suggest that life expectancy in the 20th century increased from 47 to 75 years between 1900 and 2000. This trend of longevity fueled an increase in the aging population. In 2000, 14.6 % and 11.8% of the population living in metropolitan and rural areas aged 65 or older. Aging of the social impacts the economic growth increases the prevalence of disabilities, and chronic diseases affect how families function and alter work and retirement patterns. Also, it leads to an increased age dependency ratio, lower fertility, and declined labor forces. The aging population poses challenges to the macroeconomic stability and fiscal of numerous society through social benefit programs designed for the elderly, healthcare, and increased government expense on a pension.
MacDonald (2002) suggests that hazards from the environment risk individuals’ health by causing diseases such as asthma, heart diseases, and increased cancer risk. Social context is likely to influence the perception of a person towards something. For instance, an individual trying new food in a harsh or unwelcome environment might have a bad perception of the food’s taste and not like it in the future. Social context affects health in that it can lead to behavior change, such as poor diets and eating habits. Education benefits, such as better jobs, more money, and better health insurance, qualify an individual to access quality health care, and afford a healthier diet.
Hispanics, as a group, are highly religious besides adopting other beliefs and behaviors. In comparing the Hispanic culture with that of the Latinos, we consider the differences in their beliefs and practices. For a large number of Latinos, God is described as an active force in day to day life. Most Latinos participate in religious practice at least once every month, have a crucifix or some religious items at their home, or pray every day. Many believe that miracles are performed as they in the older days and the reward of a true believer in health and wealth. The intensity of these beliefs and their way of practicing makes them different from the Hispanic group. Compared with the Hispanics, Latinos are more likely to embrace religion, but sometimes the difference only appears in their traditions. 60% of the religious Latinos and 52 % of the Hispanic Christians believe that Jesus will come back to earth in their lifetime. In this regard, Latinos are different from Hispanic Christians. Only about one-third of non-Hispanic Christians composed of 40% white evangelicals and 22% white Catholics believe that the return of Jesus will happen during their lifetime.
Kandel and Brown (2006) argue a general increase in disease prevalence among the elderly population. Asthma, lower back pains, cardiac diseases, and diabetes mellitus are more reported among the elderly. However, due to the improved health services and medical knowledge used in the elderly, silent diseases such as some cancers, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes are diagnosed earlier, and treatment is administered to the elderly without changing the underlying conditions. These diseases, as well as increasing age, lead to functional limitations and disability in the elderly. Disability in doing daily activities leads to an individual’s dependency on moving from one area to another, feeding and dressing, among other activities.
References
Kandel, W. A., & Brown, D. L. (2006). Population change and rural society. Springer Science & Business Media.
MacDonald, G. M. (2002). Social context and social location in the sociology of law. Broadview Press.