Question 1

Which racial/ethnic group has the highest fertility rate in the U.S ?

Accepted Answer

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2018, the total fertility rate (TFR) for Hispanic women was 1.73 births per woman, the highest of any racial/ethnic group in the U.S. The TFR for nonHispanic whites was 1.72, for blacks it was 1.59, and for Asian Americans it was 1.56.

Question 2

In 2013, the average cost of raising a child to age 18 is estimated at for middle-income families.

Accepted Answer

In 2013, the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimated that the average cost of raising a child to age 18 for a middle-income family was about $245,000. This figure includes costs related to housing, food, education, and other child-rearing expenses but does not include the cost of college.

Question 3

In a 2008 survey, about half of all pregnancies to American women were reported as being .

Accepted Answer

The term "unintended" encompasses both unwanted and mistimed pregnancies, meaning that they were either not wanted at all or not wanted at that specific time. Therefore, the most accurate choice is C) unintended.

Question 4

A pro-large family movement known as is situated in some fundamentalist Christian churches.

Accepted Answer

The pro-large family movement known as Quiverfull is associated with fundamentalist Christian churches. They believe that having as many children as possible is a blessing from God and that women should dedicate their lives to bearing and raising children. The name "Quiverfull" comes from a Biblical reference to children being like arrows in a quiver, symbolizing the idea that having many children is a form of spiritual warfare. The other options are either not associated with this movement or do not exist.

Question 5

Which of the following terms is often used now instead of the more negative sounding childless?

Accepted Answer

"Childfree" is often used now as it has a more positive connotation compared to "childless," which implies a lack or deficiency.

Question 6

In American society, having children is taken for granted, whereas not having children seems to need a justification. This reflects a

Accepted Answer

The statement implies that there is a bias towards having children in American society, which is known as pronatalism. This bias assumes that having children is the norm and ideal, while not having children is deviant and requires justification.

Question 7

Studies comparing marriages with and without children consistently report marital happiness to be higher in

Accepted Answer

Studies consistently report that marital happiness is higher for couples without children compared to those with children. This may be due to factors such as lower levels of stress, greater flexibility in schedules and lifestyle, and more time and attention for each other.

Question 8

are the things most parents must give up in order to have children.

Accepted Answer

Having children comes with opportunity costs, which means giving up other opportunities or resources in exchange for raising a family. This can include sacrificing time, money, and personal goals. The other options do not accurately describe the sacrifices that parents make when raising children.

Question 9

When parents are interviewed, they report a variety of emotional satisfactions from having children. Which of the following is NOT one of these?

Accepted Answer

While some parents may feel reassured that their children will care for them in old age, it is not a commonly cited emotional satisfaction from having children. The other options—meaning and purpose in life, the attainment of adulthood, and a sense of commitment and meaning in an uncertain social world—are all commonly reported emotional satisfactions from parenthood.

Question 10

Today, children constitute Americans' ideal family size.

Accepted Answer

The ideal family size for many Americans has traditionally been two children, reflecting a common societal preference for a balanced and manageable family unit.

Question 11

Janet is employed as an executive within a major corporation. When she decided to have a child, she stepped down from this position, thus giving up a six-figure income. Janet's situation illustrates which of the following "costs?"

Accepted Answer

Janet's situation illustrates opportunity cost, as she had to give up her high-paying job to have a child, representing the highest-valued alternative that she gave up in order to pursue another option.

Question 12

Evidence shows that children, especially when they are young, tend to have which of the following influences on marriage?

Accepted Answer

Research suggests that the presence of children tends to stabilize marriage by creating a sense of commitment and shared responsibility between spouses. This is especially true for younger children who require more hands-on care and attention from both parents. While children can create some disruptive moments or conflicts, overall their presence tends to strengthen the bond between spouses rather than weaken it.

Question 13

There seems to be a connection between childlessness and

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that individuals who are more career-oriented or have a strong commitment to their work are more likely to be childless. This is because they may prioritize their work over starting a family or may not have the time and resources to devote to both.

Question 14

According to the value of children perspective, children were viewed as

Accepted Answer

The value of children perspective viewed children as economic assets, as they were expected to contribute to their family's economic well-being by working and providing support in their old age.

Question 15

Significant changes have taken place in American childbearing patterns in the decades since World War II. Which is NOT one of these changes discussed by the text?

Accepted Answer

The text mentions that significant changes have taken place in American childbearing patterns since World War II, including a decline in the average number of children women bear, women having children at later ages, and childlessness becoming more common. However, the text does not mention that teen pregnancies are on the rise; in fact, statistics show that teen pregnancy rates have been steadily declining since the 1990s.

Question 16

What percent of U.S. women surveyed in 2001 said "no" to the question of whether "a woman needs the experience of motherhood to have a complete life?"

Accepted Answer

In 2001, 70% of U.S. women surveyed responded "no" to the question of whether "a woman needs the experience of motherhood to have a complete life," reflecting a significant shift in societal attitudes towards motherhood and women's roles.

Question 17

In 1976, the U.S. total fertility rate dropped to the lowest level ever recorded, which was

Accepted Answer

The total fertility rate in the U.S. dropped to 1.7 in 1976, which was the lowest level ever recorded. The other options were not the lowest level recorded.

Question 18

The text offers several explanations for the drop in overall fertility levels. Which of the following is NOT one of these?

Accepted Answer

The text does not offer an explanation for an increase in sexual abstinence as a reason for the drop in overall fertility levels.

Question 19

Because some of America's values, laws, employment policies, and culture are slanted against parents and their children, some scholars have warned that our society is characterized by

Accepted Answer

Structural antinatalism refers to societal structures and policies that inadvertently or deliberately discourage having children, which aligns with the description of values, laws, employment policies, and culture being against parents and their children.

Question 20

The most obvious costs associated with having children are

Accepted Answer

While it is true that having children can also have emotional, educational, and spiritual costs, the most obvious and commonly talked about costs are financial. Raising a child requires a significant amount of money for food, clothing, healthcare, education, and other expenses.

Quiz 8: Deciding About Parenthood