RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN NUMBER OF CHILDREN AND INCOME

RESULTS
FIG 1. Pie- chart showing the number of children begotten by a couple based on available resources available to them.
(see pie-chat attached)
NB. Resources here are assumed to include only the essentials .e.g. food, clothing and shelter.
PERCENTAGE OF RESOURCES
19.%
19.%
24.%
38.%
RESULT
In the sector A and B, the available resources is at 19% and the number of children begotten are 2
In the sector C, the available resources is 24% and the number of children begotten is 3
In the sector D, the available resources is 38% and the number of children begotten is 6
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Based on the result, it is concluded that:
In all the sectors, there is a fair match between the number of children and the available resources
Sector A and B, with two (2) number of children can be fully fitted into all other sectors without creating any pressure on the available resources in the destination sector, provided no family existed in the destination sector.
Sector D cannot fit into any other sector even if all the children in the destination sector are removed.
If any more children is/are added to any of the four (4) sectors, there will be excess of family size over resources.
If the wife has not yet reached menopause, and without any contraception, meeting of the husband and wife may lead to more birth beyond the tolerance limit.
Recommendations
Based on the conclusion, the researcher therefore made the following recommendations:
The couples should try as much as it can to avoid more birth, at the maximum children of 2, 2, 3, and 6 in sector A, B, C, and D respectively.
If giving birth to more children is desired by the couples in either of the sectors, available resources must be increased .i.e. the couples must seek additional source of income.
Contraception can also be taken in lieu of increase in income. e.g. if the couple cannot secure an increased income, they should go for family planning (see www.honeyandbanana.com to learn more about ‘effective, safe, affordable, and quality’’ pregnancy prevention methods)
LIMITATIONS
The above analysis is not without its own limitation. Below are some of the limitations;
The study failed to take cognizance of the possibility of changes in price over the time. The assumption that price will not change, or that changes in price will be evened out by rise in income of couple is not always achievable. e.g the current inflation has not led to a general increase in the salaries of worker in Nigeria
The study failed to give technical recommendation on the number of children each family should give birth to. It merely showed number of children begotten based on available resources.
The study limited the resources required by each family to the essentials .e.g. food, clothing, and shelter. It failed to recognize difference in taste of each of the couple .e.g. people have difference in terms of choice of food, clothing and shelter they desire.
It failed to recognize the fact that when those essential needs are met, superior needs (like need for luxury .e.g. Television, car etc) becomes a need too. E.g. management scholars believe that satisfied needs ceases to be a motivator. When a need is met, superior needs become a drive too
references:
NIL