I used to agree with you thanks to Malthus's viewpoint infiltrating Western
thought, however I've recently done some extensive research on the subject
and this is what I've found:
It's very convenient for us sitting here in America in our oil heated homes,
and gasoline fueled cars to place the burdon of the world's environmental
problems on a dark-skinned faceless crowd in third world countries... Places
where our nuclear sized families aren't necessarily sustainable for their
living situations. Children in many of these countries are necessary for the
survival of the whole family. By the age of 10-13 boys in Bangledesh produce
more than they consume. And by the age of 15 their total production has
exceeded their cumulative lifetime consumption. Children are the only social
security here, and the only way that many will survive when they are older.
Male preference and high mortality rates keep birth rates high to ensure that
a few males will survive into adulthood. consumption patterns in developed
countries (especially the US) have much more to do with the harm to the
environment. One person living in the US consumes 16 times more energy than
one person in a developing nation. The industrialized nations, with 22 % of
the world's population consume 70% of the world's energy, 75% of its metals,
85% of its wood, and 60% of its food... and who is stripping mama earth of
her resources?
When govenments interfere actually what will probably happen, (as has
happened throughout the past few decades when goals of lowering birth rates
has been the main objective) is more permanent froms of birth control
(sterilization, Depo-Provera, Norplant...)will be provided, if not even
forced on women in these countries. All the while their health is ignored
and living standards remain unchanged. What needs to happen is to focus on
improving women's lives in general. When women become educated, gain equal
rights, and power to make choices about their own bodies, birth rates
natually fall. This has been proven time and time again throughout history.
In fact, the current birth rate around the world has been stabilizing for
years (except for Africa), and the population only seems to be "exploding"
because such a large percentage of the population is of childbearing age. We
need to shift the focus from control over women's wombs to improving their
overall lives all around the world. And perhaps we should all take a look at
our own consumption patterns if we want to make a real change.
~Laura
*statisics cited from Reproductive Rights and Wrongs, the Global Politics of
Population Contol by Betsey Hartmann, 1995
