that have prevailed in this respect in Mexico in recent years: as the standard of schooling of Mexican women has risen, as their opportunities to obtain gainful employment and, for a large number of them, to live in the cities, have increased, the average number of live births has correspondingly decreased. 71. In the past, only four or five decades ago, the extended family had its own social and economic raison d'etre but was also the result of scanty information on sex education and family planning, the force of tradition and the limited coverage of the health and social security services. 72. Today it is the nuclear family that predominates. Sex education forms part of general upbringing, extensive campaigns have been conducted giving information on family planning and the health and social security services cover the bulk of the population. 73. Under these circumstances, the decisions taken by couples today to have fewer children than couples had in former generations are taken in the certain knowledge that they will thus be better prepared for the fuller human development of the members of the family and have better chances of achieving greater prosperity and a higher standard of living. At the same time responsible motherhood and fatherhood have played a decisive part in changing the traditional concept of the role of women in the family and in society. 74. In this sense it can be asserted that Mexico's population policy has helped to promote family welfare and improve the social status of women in Mexico. B. Protection of motherhood 75. In principle women in Mexico enjoy the same rights and are subject to the same obligations as men. However, the conditions of women's work have as their basic principle the protection of motherhood. Care for mother and child is a priority and comprises care for women during pregnancy, childbirth and 
**Analysis**
The text discusses the changes in family structures and fertility rates in Mexico, highlighting the impact of education, employment, and social services on women's roles and family planning. The emphasis on protection of motherhood and the promotion of family welfare suggests a strong connection to the well-being of individuals and families.

**Category**
Health, Education