Industrial Revolution Life Expectancy

a. life expectancy

Life expectancy in many parts of the world has increased since 1800 (Life Expectancy by Age, n.d). To understand these changes we can study the demographic transition, the changes in birth and death rates over extended periods of time. The industrial revolution has significantly improved the conditions of humans and in 20th century death rates declined but the birth rates remained unchanged. In many of today’s developed countries both rates have declined; however, in developing countries, while death rates have declined due the improvements of living conditions, the birth rates are still high which has caused a record high population growth (HAUB & GRIBBLE, 2011).

b. family planning

Some of the developing countries

have successfully implemented government policies to control the birth rate, Thailand is one example. But many of other developing countries have not been so successful, due lack funding and not using effective contraception. As life expectancy goes up and the infant mortality rates drop, population growth and the lack of resources become a significant problem in these countries ((Haub & Gribble, 2011).
c. poverty issues
The effect of economic inequalities can be seen in the difference between social behaviors in every country. Wealthier and better secured women have less children than poorer women (HAUB & GRIBBLE, 2011).
I think that economic improvements should be on our top priority when it comes to solving this problem. In countries low fertility rates, mothers should get enough support so that if they decide to have children, reduced work hours does not affect their economy. However, just because someone has a better economy does not mean she should be willing to sacrifice her career or ideals, so I am not sure to what extend economic improvements would work in this case. In the case of poorer countries, better economy means better education, opportunities, less reliance on the number of members in the family to work on farms or other forms of traditional form of work which needs the participation of many family members.
I decided that act utilitarianism takes in account the consequences of economic inequalities which are the lack of education and higher uncertainty and health risks.