Introduction
Population movements have been a common feature in the world for a long time. Some of the main reasons that influence population movements in many countries are political, social and economic reasons. For instance population movements came about as people were trying to look for better lives in other lands (economic reason for population movements), others were trying to escape from wars from their own countries and many other reasons. This paper will therefore trace the population movements in the world and some of the factors that contributed to the evolution of the world’s population.
Discussion
During this period a lot of countries were developing politically, economically or socially, this therefore meant that the countries that were not developing as first, the people had to move in search of jobs. For instance in Cuba, a lot of Cubans migrated to the United States after Fidel Castro became their leader. This was a result of the political developments in Cuba. Hence the population in the United States increased significantly. Today Miami Florida where a lot of Cubans settled their influence is still felt, this is especially in terms of language.
The same case applies to Europe whereby, by this time there was a lot of land in Europe and this really encouraged population increase and movements. Many developing countries were characterized by a lot of population growth and movements during this period. Most of these movements were labor movements that is people were migrating to different world in such of labor; this was especially so due to the industrial revolutions that was taking place in the world.
Family structures played an important role in the population movements in the world. For example most of the developing countries required peasant’s laborers to work in their farms, hence the peasant farmers moved in groups that are as families this contributed to growth of the population. In France, for example, the population growth was not very stable because agriculture was not stable. Therefore there was a lot of movement in and of France as peasant families were looking for farmlands.
Through these movements the world’s population has evolved through the different relationships that were formed. Hence by intermarriages between the people of different counties, a more diverse population was formed. In this case a research carried out in Italy helped to show the differences in the intermarriages and the importance of migrations, as the higher the migration rate the more diverse a community is. Therefore population movements helped to diversify the population, this is especially so in terms culture. For example, in Miami the language that is commonly used is Hispanic, this is as a result of the migration of different communities. This is one way in which the population movements have influenced the culture of different people.
The rise of modern medicine has helped in the evolution of the world’s population in that, during this period families were very large and this was seen as one factor that contributed to poverty, thus modern medicine helped to control the population. The high population meant that there were more workers than required and as result the wages paid to these workers were poor and as a whole the communities were poor. Through modern medicine the population was controlled, this was done by the family planning methods that were pit in place and thus the population reduced significantly.
Modern medicine has evolved the world’s population by ensuring that the death rate has significantly reduced. For example the eradication of small pox is one way in which modern medicine has helped evolve the population. Some diseases that used to affect people so much are not a problem any more. The availability of vaccines has also helped to maintain the population; there was also a reduction in the mortality rate. By 1950s most rich countries had recorded reduced death rates due to the modern medicine available. For instance the death rate for Tuberculosis in the United Sates between 1860 and 1960 reduced significantly. Modern medicine improved the lives of the people by reducing the death rate and improving their general welfare.
Women have played a major role in the evolution of the world’s population; this is by taking up responsibilities. During these period women accepted responsibilities that were earlier thought to be held by the men. It is noted that some widows raised their families on their own despite the earlier beliefs that they could not. This was one way of empowering the women in the society. Other women agreed to remarry but the children they had retained their surnames, other women took up leadership positions. In certain areas women intermarried with people from different parts of the community, this brought diversity in the community. Women begun to redefine the gender roles given to them, by doing this they changed the way women are perceived.
Conclusion
Population movements have helped to redefine the population of the world, whether these movements occur because of political, social or economic reasons. Over the years the world’s population has evolved, because it is affected by certain factors. Hence family structures, whereby people migrate to other lands with their families, intermarriages and the integration of different cultures helped to evolve the world’s population. Modern medicine also helped to redefine the world’s population by reducing the death rate and improving the general welfare of the people. The position of women in the community has changed so much in many ways; whereby women are taking up vigorous roles by not only taking care of their families but also being responsible of their community as well.
References
- Leon, V. Uppity Women of the New World, (New York: Conari Press)
- Role of Women. Web.
- World Population.