Final answer:
Five factors that boost total fertility include cultural norms favoring large families, lack of fertility planning access, lower female education, pro-natalist policies, and economic reliance on children. Conversely, factors lowering fertility are women's education and career opportunities, contraception access, economic burdens, cultural shifts, and health risks. The U.S. stands mid-range in global fertility rate comparisons.
Step-by-step explanation:
The factors that can boost total fertility include:
- Cultural or societal norms that value large families
- Lack of access to fertility planning and contraceptives
- Lower levels of female education
- Government policies that encourage larger families
- Economic factors where children are seen as a source of income
Conversely, the factors that can lower total fertility include:
- Increased educational and professional opportunities for women
- Greater access to contraception and family planning services
- Higher living costs and economic pressures
- Cultural shifts towards smaller family norms
- Greater health risks associated with childbirth or infant health issues
Countries with high fertility rates typically face challenges like poverty, limited healthcare, and education, while those with low fertility often have stronger social services and economic structures. The U.S. has a fertility rate around the middle in global comparisons.