Answer:
d) Cultural and societal norms.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cultural and societal norms play a significant role in determining the total fertility rate (TFR) in human populations. TFR refers to the average number of children born to a woman over her lifetime. Several factors contribute to high TFR, but cultural and societal norms are often considered the most important.
In societies where having more children is culturally valued and socially expected, individuals may have a higher desire and motivation to have larger families. These norms can be influenced by various factors such as religion, tradition, and gender roles. For example, in some cultures, having many children is seen as a symbol of status, wealth, or religious duty.
Access to education for women, option a, can also be a significant factor influencing TFR. When women have access to education, they tend to delay marriage and childbirth, pursue careers, and have more control over their reproductive choices. This can lead to a decrease in TFR. Similarly, the availability of contraception, option b, allows individuals to plan their families and can contribute to lower TFR.
Economic prosperity, option c, can have a mixed impact on TFR. In some cases, higher economic prosperity can lead to a decrease in TFR as individuals focus on career advancement and material aspirations rather than having large families. However, in certain societies, economic prosperity may also enable families to afford the costs associated with raising more children, which can contribute to higher TFR.
In summary, while factors like access to education, availability of contraception, and economic prosperity can influence TFR, the single most important factor affecting high TFR in human populations is often cultural and societal norms. These norms shape individuals' attitudes and desires regarding family size and can have a profound impact on population growth.