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trend, not, however, from increased fertility but primarily because
of the greater number of females in the childbearing age groups
resulting from the post-war boom of births. By reason of the
spread of contraceptive knowledge and the greater willingness of
the younger women to adopt reliable forms of birth control to
limit family size this increase is not likely to be as marked as
once thought.
Illegitimate Births
The degree of illegitimacy is usually evaluated by calculating
illegitimate births as a percentage of total live births. This is satisfactory
for the short-term assessment but, if the legitimate rate is
declining and the illegitimate remains constant, there will be an
apparent but not necessarily a real increase in illegitimacy.
Although medically speaking there is no distinction between a
legitimate and an illegitimate birth, nevertheless, statistically it
can be demonstrated that illegitimacy reduces the chances of
survival in early infancy.
It has always been assumed that illegitimacy resulted from low
social standards, both cultural and material, and that it arose
also where such factors as an insecure family life, poor and overcrowded
housing, lack of direction and personal drive were in
evidence. Although these considerations still apply, today illegitimacy
knows no bounds and is to be found in all walks of life.
Indeed, on occasions, it would appear to be sought by certain types.
Society, as well as individuals, shares the onus of illegitimacy
and only widespread education in sexual responsibility can ameliorate
the trauma and burden of unplanned pregnancy. Personal
counselling, not only on contraception but also on sexual and
emotional problems, could be of inestimable value to the young.
In London, rates tend to be higher than that for the country as
a whole possibly by reason of a higher proportion of single females
but very probably because of its compelling attraction to pregnant
women who find not only anonymity but better facilities in the
ante-natal, maternity, social and welfare fields.
Illegitimate births in Greenwich during the current year numbered
311, equivalent to 9.8% of all live births registered, a decrease
of 0.4% from that of the previous year. In effect, this
means that one baby in every ten born of Greenwich residents was
illegitimate. Even so, this situation was the most favourable of all
the Inner London Boroughs whose average illegitimacy was 16.2%.
Figures for the Greater London area and for England and Wales
were 11.3% and 8.3% respectively.