human population- overpopulation (Page 3)

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I think the explanation that people have too many kids because they are ignorant is simplistic. Obviously sex education and general access to resources is helpful, but what about factors like high child mortality rates? Even in today's world, there are babies and kids who die from treatable illnesses. It's not uncommon for families in rural areas to try to have many kids because it's not a sure thing that all will survive. Children are also extra labour around the house/farm, etc. So there is a case to be made by some, especially in trying circumstances, that there is good economic sense to having plenty of children.

Again - I think rather than ask "how can we reduce population," maybe the question should be, "why are so many people in the world living with so little, while the wealthiest (who have the most messed up consumption habits anyway - using up multiple times the resources of the "have-nots") live completely unchecked, greedy lives. Isn't it pretty sad that the most powerful have produced and sustained ideologies so powerful that actually makes us talk about human lives (especially poor people) the way we talk about pest control or something..

((Isn't it pretty sad that the most powerful have produced and sustained ideologies so powerful that actually makes us talk about human lives (especially poor people) the way we talk about pest control or something..))

@moomin - I agree that when we tackle issues like this, we have to look at all aspects, including patriarchy and have more social-based solutions.



I agree, baazigar. The only thing I would say is that I actually don't think it puts that much pressure on natural resources. I think those who hoard (and violate or prevent environmental regulations through powerful lobbying (giant companies like Walmart, multinationals that control Special Economic Zones) etc. put the most pressure on natural resources. Also - global north overconsumption habits - fuel, hydro, generating garbage you name it - put pressure on natural resources.

I think poor people in the global south actually manage with so little resources, and become the basis for most industries (as cheap labour, of course). So they are in fact, in cold terms, living in the most efficient way, taking up the least amount of space. They are also the ones dealing with the problems caused by the rest of us. And yet we talk about them as if they are the problem.


Edited by --arti-- - 03 March 2013 at 6:34am

would resistribution of wealth solve the problems of over population? How does redistribution of wealth get implemented?

I can give one social reason for population explosion, without backing up with any research articles.

IMO, parents are also responsible for population explosion for sure.

Step 1. For girl: You are already 18, you HAVE to get married ASAP. For a guy: You got a job, you HAVE to get married soon and settle in life.

It doesn't matter at what age they marry, but the pressure starts from right there. Depending on the localities, girls do tend to get married even before they reach eighteen years. If there is a grandparent, they want to see their great grandson before their last breath. Girl as young as sixteen has to start preparing for her wedding to heed the last wishes of her grandparent, throwing away her own future (from personal experience, after watching a friend)

Step 2: Now that you got married, we WANT to see our grandson (not grandchild) soon.

It is not surprising to see many couple celebrate their first wedding anniversary with their infant baby.

Step 3: Now that your child is one year old, you HAVE to make a second baby soon. If, in case, the first baby is a girl, we WANT a grandson ASAP to carry on our lineage.

If step 3 is not a success, then there is a step 4 and step 5, until a baby with weenie comes out of the womb.

So, we desis, are adding four to five generations in a century, where western countries are adding three to four generations.

I am not saying parents are THE reason for population explosion, but they are part of the reason.


Edited by desiRED - 05 March 2013 at 9:10am