THE FAMILY IN MALTA WITHIN THE DEMOGRAPHIC TRANSITIONS: A STUDY OF FAMILIES-IN-NEED Bernadine Satariano, Suzanne Gauci & Dr John A. Schembri
FIRST AND SECOND DEMOGRAPHIC TRANSITIONS Demographic Transition describes the evolution of the birth, death and migration rates over time. The model below combines the FIRST and SECOND demographic transitions for countries that have passed through the processes of industrialization and urbanization. Model of the First and Second Demographic Transitions
FIRST AND SECOND DEMOGRAPHIC TRANSITIONS First Demographic Transition high birth and death rates - populations kept small and in check decline in death rates with birth rates remaining high - populations increase decline in birth rates - populations kept in check again eg. ageing
FIRST AND SECOND DEMOGRAPHIC TRANSITIONS Second Demographic Transition fluctuation in birth and death rates- intensifying of ageing process increase in death rates and decline in birth rates - population below replacement level increase in immigrations make up for stagnant local populations
THE GEOGRAPHY OF HIGH POPULATION DENSITIES AND MARKED POPULATION MOVEMENTS. The population of the Maltese Islands is about 400,000 with a population density of around 1,200 persons per Km 2. However there are marked regional differences as shown in the figure below Distribution of population density by locality: 2005 (Source: Census 2007)
THE GEOGRAPHY OF HIGH POPULATION DENSITIES AND MARKED POPULATION MOVEMENTS. The Harbour regions are experiencing the highest figures with about one half of the population living around these areas. Migration from the high-density districts to districts that are less dense is also apparent. In fact as the map shows there are lower densities in all the other regions including Gozo with 7.7 per cent of the population and a density of 463 persons per Km 2. (Census 2005). Distribution of population density by locality: 2005 (Source: Census 2007)
THE MALTESE FAMILY The Maltese maintain a strong connection with their families. It serves as a source of solidarity, care, and support. Marriage within the Roman Catholic Church remains a predominant status. However, the norm of two parent family co-exists with a diversity of family situations and lifestyle (Abela, Cordina and Azzopardi Muscat 2003). Single parents, elderly, and parents of large families report lower average yearly household income and are at a greater risk of poverty than their counterparts.
Families mostly prone to poverty and social exclusion and their interlinking factors
Families mostly prone to poverty and social exclusion and their interlinking factors Most of the ELDERLY suffer from solitude and insecurity living in flats with three or four flights of stairs and inadequate household facilities. Moreover their health problems apart from excluding them from the rest of society exert a financial burden due to expensive medicines. The elderly are also psychologically affected by the familial problems generally experienced due to unhealthy relationships between parents and children.
Families mostly prone to poverty and social exclusion and their interlinking factors On the other hand, SINGLE MOTHERS and PARENTS OF TWO OR MORE CHILDREN are mostly prone to suffer from: Lack of family income, living in dilapidated housing, having limited space, experiencing marital instability, experiencing stress and suffering from depression. As a result parents fear about their child's well-being which in turn can bring about poor educational achievement and social exclusion. Unfortunately some people are not able to cope with these problems and resort to prostitution, crime, and substance abuse.
THE GEOGRAPHY OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC CHALLENGES IN VALLETTA This research study with a random sample of hundred interviewees was conducted in Malta's capital city Valletta and it delved to find: income level - the extent to which it was sufficient housing type -its suitability for the family education level - household head and dependents health problems affect on respondent and dependents cultural activities condition the way of life, such as, religious, carnival and sports and other forms of leisure residing in Valletta - whether they were experiencing any problems and disadvantages due to the fact that they reside in Valletta. The research tools used for this study included both quantitative and qualitative typologies: Interviews Behavioural observation, and Secondary sources
Demography of Valletta Valletta was once Malta s largest city YEAR POPULATION OF VALLETTA 1931 22,779 1948 18,666 1957 18,202 1967 15,279 1985 9,340 1995 7,262 2005 6,300 In 2005 average age of Valletta s residents was 44.2 while that of the Maltese population was that of 38.5. This phenomenon is also depicted by the dependency ratio of Valletta which is one of the highest, standing as 59.9 percent, whereas, that of the Maltese Islands is 44.7 percent.
Education 61 per cent of the respondents did not succeed to attain their secondary level of education. A high percentage of the respondents have the knowledge of a foreign language. Employment 11 per cent are gainfully occupied, 82 per cent are inactive (pensioners, receiving social assistance) while 7 per cent are unemployed. Housing The residents of Valletta live mostly in apartments as proved from the research sample and the census 2005. The second most popular type of dwelling is the maisonette (terran), followed by houses and suite of rooms forming part of a housing unit (kerrejja).
Income More than half the population of Valletta live below the poverty line while another high percentage are at risk of poverty. Total amount of income recieved per year per household 12 % 6% Below 4,658 28% 11% Betw een ( 4,658) and ( 6,988) Betw een ( 6,988) and ( 9,317) Betw een ( 9,317) and ( 11,646) 43% Betw een ( 11,646) and ( 13,976)
INDICATORS OF POVERTY AND SOCIAL EXCLUSION It was explained to the interviewees that some people may be experiencing problems. They were given a list of examples of problems one may encounter in daily life. Mental Conditions 72 per cent of the interviewees stated that they suffer from stress and anxiety 57 per cent from depression, 53 per cent from solitude, and 50 per cent from some form of illness. Material poverty 45 per cent suffer from material poverty which restricts them from buying certain basic necessities: food, medicine and clothing, 38 per cent are illiterate (lack of education limits their aspirations for higher jobs), 32 per cent live in inadequate and dilapidated housing (sharing a common lavatory with other tenants, small household size and structural weaknesses 29 per cent have problems with unemployment (those with a challenging conduct are limited from finding employment).
Other domestic problems Unfortunately these problems create yet more serious problems through: the consumption of alcohol (26 percent), gambling (21 percent),and domestic violence (7 percent). Social exclusion is another major problem affecting especially: immigrants (13 percent), disabled (12 percent) drug abuse (7 percent), prostitution (6 percent), prisoners and their in-laws (3 percent), homosexuals (3 percent) and transvestites (1 percent) are also present in Valletta.
Conclusions The results of this research study demonstrate the sincerity by which the interviewees voiced their disadvantages and concerns. It is evident that these problems have to be urgently addressed and an immediate action plan be taken by all responsible. The opportunities lie in using the high densities to advantage by: increasing connections between people that lead to: (a) greater exchange of ideas, (b) preventing the loss of skills maintained over generations (Powell, et al 2009) increasing connections between disciplines (Richardson, 2005)
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