Question 1

With respect to couples who are voluntarily childfree:

Accepted Answer

Many childfree couples experience their decision as a process that involves revisiting the decision over time. This is because factors such as changes in lifestyle, personal values, and relationships can impact their views on parenthood.

Answer: B 
 Studies have shown that men tend to be more firm in their decision to remain childfree than women. Women are more likely to express ambivalence towards the decision and may sometimes feel the pressure to conform to societal expectations of motherhood.

Answer: D
 Research has found that older childfree couples have more extensive relationships with their friends and extended family, which helps to provide them with a support system and fulfill their social needs.

Answer: E
 Childfree couples are less likely to live in an institution such as a nursing home as they do not have children to provide care for them in old age. Instead, they may rely on other sources of support such as friends, partners, or paid caregivers.

Question 2

Population statistics reflect both fertility rates and death rates.

Accepted Answer

Population statistics are affected by both fertility rates (the number of births per woman) and death rates (the number of deaths in a population). The combination of these two factors determines the overall growth rate or decline of a population.

Question 3

Which is TRUE about adoption?

Accepted Answer

Closed adoptions were more common in the past, but today there is a trend towards open adoptions, where there is some level of contact or information exchange between the adoptive and birth families.

Question 4

Which of the following reservations regarding adopting children by gay and lesbian parents has been shown to have some validity?

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that children raised by same-sex parents may experience more teasing and bullying from peers, but this is a societal issue rather than a parental one. The other reservations listed have been debunked by research and are based on unfounded stereotypes and prejudice.

Question 5

There are several reasons that contribute to the challenge associated with the transition to parenthood, according to Alice Rossi. Which is NOT one of them?

Accepted Answer

Alice Rossi actually includes this as one of the reasons why the transition to parenthood is difficult. She states that people often have unrealistic expectations about what being a parent will be like based on their experiences as a child.

Question 6

The Baby M case demonstrates some of the complications that can arise from:

Accepted Answer

The Baby M case is a landmark legal case in the United States on the issues of surrogacy and child custody, particularly focusing on traditional surrogacy, where the surrogate mother is also the biological mother of the child.

Question 7

The United States currently offers parents:

Accepted Answer

Currently, the United States offers parents 12 weeks of unpaid leave through the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). This is the only federally mandated leave policy in place, and although it is unpaid, it offers job protection to eligible employees who need to take time off for the birth or adoption of a child, or to care for a family member with a serious health condition. While other options may be more appealing, such as paid leave, they are not currently available on a federal level in the US.

Question 8

An open adoption is one that allows:

Accepted Answer

An open adoption allows for the adopted child to have contact with their birth parents. This can include communication, visits, and/or sharing of information. It is beneficial for the child to have some level of connection to their birth family and can lead to a healthier sense of identity and self-esteem. The other answer choices (A, B, D, E) do not accurately describe what an open adoption is.

Question 9

The period of the 1950s is known as the baby bust.

Accepted Answer

The period of the 1950s is actually known as the baby boom, as there was a significant increase in birth rates during that time. The baby bust occurred in the 1960s and 1970s, when birth rates declined.

Question 10

Ashley and her partner do not have children. Which of the following is a macro-level factor that may have contributed to their fertility?

Accepted Answer

Living in a culture where children are seen as more of a liability than a benefit is a macro-level factor that can influence fertility choices. This may stem from societal values or economic constraints that make it difficult for individuals to afford the costs associated with raising a child. Other factors such as personal preferences, health issues, and family dynamics may also play a role, but these are typically considered micro-level factors. Options A, B, C, and E all involve individual-level factors that may influence fertility decisions.

Question 11

The number of children born per 1,000 in the population is called the total birth rate.

Accepted Answer

The number of children born per 1,000 in the population is referred to as the birth rate or crude birth rate, not the total birth rate.

Question 12

Lucas is a family scientist specializing in fertility. He measures fertility using the total fertility rate, which is the average number of children born to a woman over the course of her life.

Accepted Answer

The total fertility rate is indeed a measure of fertility used by family scientists to calculate the average number of children born to a woman throughout her reproductive years.

Question 13

The medicalization of childbirth began around:

Accepted Answer

The medicalization of childbirth began in the mid-19th century with the popularization of obstetrical forceps and the introduction of anesthesia during labor. This was followed by the establishment of obstetrics as a specialized medical field, and the increasing use of hospital births with medical interventions.

Question 14

A relationship in which one woman gives birth for another person or couple, who then adopts or takes legal custody of the child, is called:

Accepted Answer

The practice described is commonly known as surrogacy. The surrogate mother carries the child with the intention of giving it up for adoption or transferring legal custody to another person or couple.

Question 15

Birth centers have become more popular in the last few decades in response to:

Accepted Answer

The medicalization of childbirth, or the trend towards hospital births with medical interventions, has caused some women to seek out birth centers as an alternative option for more natural and holistic childbirth experiences.

Question 16

The transition to parenthood:

Accepted Answer

The transition to parenthood often reinforces traditional gender roles, as parents may unconsciously adhere to societal expectations of "doing gender," where mothers and fathers perform roles that align with traditional gender norms.

Question 17

Adoption:

Accepted Answer

The answer of Adoption:
...

Question 18

Sophie just had a baby, and her government ensures that she has 16 weeks of paid maternity leave, with 3 additional years of unpaid leave if she wants it. Her husband also has 11 days of paid leave. What country does Sophie live in?

Accepted Answer

France provides 16 weeks of paid maternity leave and up to 3 years of unpaid leave, which matches the description given. Additionally, fathers in France are entitled to 11 days of paternity leave, which matches the husband's leave described in the question.

Question 19

The fertility rate in developed nations now exceeds that of developing nations.

Accepted Answer

This statement is false. Developed nations typically have lower fertility rates than developing nations.

Question 20

Which of the following has NOT been shown to be a factor that makes the transition to childbearing so challenging?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following has NOT been...

Quiz 8: Thinking About Parenthood