Dependency of children

In the developing countries the ratio of children to adults is typically very high because of the high birth rate. The burden of childhood dependency may be lightened by putting the children to work at an early age, but the employment of children is not compatible with a high standard of education and therefore is not a satisfactory solution. In so far as the birth rate continues to remain the same, any addition to the adult population implies a proportionate increase in the number of births. If death rates fall while birth rates remain constant, the size of each successive generation will be larger but the average number of dependent children per adult will be practically unchanged. The developing countries will continue to suffer the economic handicap of heavy childhood dependency as long as birth rates remain unchanged.

1. Unproductive dependents
2. Annulment of adoption

1. Refusal of adoption
2. Discrimination in adoption

1. Vulnerable children
2. Social isolation of women at home
3. Repressive detention of juveniles
4. Physical maltreatment of children
5. Lack of protection for the vulnerable
6. Inadequate child welfare
7. Family stress
8. Exploitation of children
9. Exploitation of child labour
10. Emotional disorders
11. Emotional dependency in marriage
12. Cruelty to children
13. Child-marriage
14. Artificially prolonged childhood

1. Single child family
2. Parental over-protectiveness
3. Excessive intensification of parent-child relationship
4. Excessive human fertility

1. Dependency of women in marriage
2. Dependence on children

1. Using children
2. Depending

1. Excess
2. Dependence