Population Control

"An assignment I wrote about the population debate." - Jeannette Villatoro

Population Control

Populations are growing in vast numbers and are becoming alarming to many scientists. Is the earth big enough to accommodate this many people? And furthermore, if the earth reaches its carrying capacity, will life be worth living? Some believe that overpopulation is a dire threat, whereas some, like Stephen Moore, believe that "the overpopulation crisis is a hoax (cited from Easton, T., 2006, pg. 227). Wherever one's belief truly lies, it may be safe to say it is a topic worth exploring.

With the aspects of population bringing growth to a maximum, such as higher life expectancy, economic and social conditions, and high fertility rates, the issue of controlling populations is become a major concern. There are many ways to decrease population growth. Birth control methods and education about family planning proved to effectively reduce the population in parts of India (Cunningham, W., Cunningham, M., 2008, ). Incentives given by government to minimize family size may also be an answer. However, the problems with these techniques is that they are questionable and challenge human rights, freedom, and attack social, political, and religious issues that are usually connected to a person's choice to procreate (Cunningham, W., Cunningham, M., 2008 ).

Another question is whether it is our place to reduce population growth. Is it really evident that our earth cannot handle more population? Are resources really lacking or are they just unbalanced between developed and so-called undeveloped nations? The need for reducing populations can also be challenged by the earth's way of depleting populations, such as disease, famine and plagues. Even our own social actions have greatly reduced population growth, such as war, abortion, and the killing of individuals in society.

Because of all the associated factors with population growth, it is very difficult to say what the best method for controlling it is. I would endorse more countries taking socially positive steps such as helping families gain better education and offering support services for family planning, so that individuals can marry their own beliefs of procreation with new education provided to them, and come up with the best solution. I would also say that creating a better balance of resources to other places in the world would help, even if that means some fortunate nations suffering less to give more to others without. This would help eliminate the urgency of our concerns with population growth. It may even promote less population growth, as there may be fewer children born because survival rates would be greater.

References

Cunningham, W., Cunningham, C., (2008). Principles of environmental science: inquiry and applications. McGraw Hill.

Easton, T., (2006). Taking Sides: casting views on controversial environmental issues.. McGraw Hill.