This thesis aims to study the use of analysis on skeletal remains in order to understand more about life histories of individuals from population in warfare during the late medieval and early...Show moreThis thesis aims to study the use of analysis on skeletal remains in order to understand more about life histories of individuals from population in warfare during the late medieval and early modern eras. This research was done by comparing the data presented by four different literary sources. Each of them represents a collection from a specific battle and set. The sites that were used were the battle of Towton in 1461, England, the battle of Lützen in 1632 Germany, the battle of Good Friday in 1520 Uppsala, Sweden, and the Siege of Alkmaar in 1573, the Netherlands. The data on sex and age at death estimation, ante-mortem, peri-mortem and any existing stress related pathological condition was presented and later compared. The analysis and comparison done to the data reveals a majority of young adult males in these populations, they all present ante-mortem and peri-mortem trauma that correlates to the historical context of the battle as well as presenting injuries that can evidence the extent of violence that was seen in this time period. The pre-existing stress related conditions revealed that Schmorl's nodes were the most substantial evidence and that it was predominantly seen in young adults. The results that this thesis presented when compared, show a lot of similar information across all of these sites, when added together they reveal a full picture of the extent of life of these individuals. The evidence for pre-existing conditions in young adults points to a life of hard labour, and since this is something seen in two of the collections, comparison can be made and it can be interpreted that life in these two territories was not easy. At the same time a predominant majority of young adult males correlated to what is expected to find in medieval armies, however the evidence for females and young children can reveal a new perspective to the information, seeing as how warfare could affect not only those we were in direct involvement with the military. It was later shown that in comparison to each other, all of these collections can id in the creation of a basis for further studies in the area of life histories of individuals from the late medieval and early modern North-western Europe.Show less
The main cause of birth-rate decline, in any country as well as China, is due to natural changes in socio-economic factors, such as the labour market, prospects of financial stability, the housing...Show moreThe main cause of birth-rate decline, in any country as well as China, is due to natural changes in socio-economic factors, such as the labour market, prospects of financial stability, the housing market, the marriage market, a work-life balance, urbanization, affordable childcare and education of both men and women. The one-child policy might have assisted a fast-track through the stages of demographic transition, but the main reason for the current continuation of low fertility is caused by these socio-economic factors. To prove the legitimacy of this argument, even though there were no birth control policies set in place in Japan since the end of the Second World War, fertility still declined due to similar socio-economic circumstances as in China today. However, after Japanese policy makers started addressing some of the socio-economic factors, birth rates did ever so slightly improve since the low in 2005, further showing evidence of the importance of these determining factors. The argument that will be used in this paper to answer the research question “Why did Chinese policymakers drop the one-child policy and how effective is this policy move in reversing the demographic trends?” is as follows: The one-child policy was fully dropped as policy makers finally realized, while too late due to the opaqueness of the Chinese government, that the fertility rates were socially and economically unsustainable. The effect of the implemented policies in reversing the demographic trend is weak because the socio-economic factors which determine continuous low fertility are not addressed.Show less
The current trends of the Japanese demographic causes a decline of the working population which has effect on the Japanese economy. The Japanese government has promoted female labour participation...Show moreThe current trends of the Japanese demographic causes a decline of the working population which has effect on the Japanese economy. The Japanese government has promoted female labour participation to increase the working population. To promote female labour participation an improvement of the work-family balance is needed. Current policies concerning the work-family balance are not sufficient to improve the working conditions of families. Policies of working flexibility, leave policies, day care-facilities, and gender equality are present in Japan however these policies lack in multiple points. Improvement of the current policies and increasing the consequences of not adhering to posed goals have the potential of improving the effectiveness of these policies.Show less
