Nowadays, different authors present strong points of view concerning Global Overpopulation. Conferences, books, articles, and lectures allow individuals to be conscious about “the right decision they need to make” before bringing babies to the planet. Moreover, Cara Swann, in her article “Global Overpopulation” (Sep 1, 2000) stated some worldwide problems like traffic jams, crime, famine, among other aspects that are certainly related with population growth. Definitely, her arguments are reasonable for being against overpopulation. However, strong cultural and religious beliefs, education, and corruption are the crucial aspects behind this controversial topic.
Most of the countries with higher average in Total Fertility Rates (TFR) have to deal with strong cultural and religious beliefs. Most of the time, “erroneous” conceptions and attitudes generate higher standards in TFR. For example, in the case of religion, Catholicism and Islam are the most remarkable religions in favor of human reproduction. Most of the time, poor and middle class people that profess these religions cannot conceive the idea of using contraceptives because it is considered a sin. It could sound like an illusion, but religious leaders should consider the idea of changing their messages to help people “think” about the consequences of bringing a lot of babies to the world. Furthermore, it would be functional to generate international alliances, in which experts in overpopulation, the government, and religious leaders should discuss effective and reasonable alternatives to control overpopulation.
Most of the time, less developed countries (LDCs) do not facilitate effective programs on sexual education to reduce overpopulation. Someone could say that the lack of money is the main disadvantage to start working with these kinds of programs, but if a practical solution is needed, Cuba could be the right example of controlling fertility rates in LDCs. Of course, we cannot omit some other aspects that help Cuban people in the maintenance of their appropriate fertility rate, but at least it is easy to perceive that money is not the problem to control overpopulation; it is just a matter of commitment and enthusiasm for preparing LDCs people in educational matters.
Unfortunately, corruption is the main social problem to go against overpopulation growth. Most of the time, dishonest politicians, tax evasion and fiscal corruption in LDCs are very common that people simply get used to it. In these kinds of countries, it is almost impossible to find viable alternatives to reduce overpopulation and sometimes, because of the same corruption, the international help is not helpful at all. What should be done? It is hard to say. Meanwhile, a lot of children are living in slums, without education and basic facilities to live a decent life.
As a conclusion, experts in overpopulation growth should concentrate their efforts in giving us practical strategies to control this critical situation. On the contrary, their data and arguments will just be in the air.
Source: Swann, C. (2000, September). Global Overpopulation. Retrieved January 29, 2009, from http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/childfree_by_choice/46451
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