Arguments against Population Control - Essay Example

Inserts His/her Inserts Inserts Grade (26, 04, Population Control Introduction With industrialization population of the world has increased many folds. The reason for this increase might be development of medicines and cures for viral diseases. Improvement in health standards in general has also contributed in this population growth. With increasing population the debate on population control has also be increasing. People who oppose population control argue that population growth is vital for economic reasons. Theological reasons are also given birth control. But birth control is extremely necessary for sustainable long term growth of the world. It is not possible for the world to absorb great population pressure. The resources available are limited and they will deplete sooner or later. Also it is evident from highly populated countries what problems population increase can cause. In this essay we will give arguments in favor of population control. Arguments presented by the other side will also be put under scrutiny. After a thorough analysis it will be established that population control is essential for survival and prosperity. Population Control is Must The most obvious reason why population control should be advocated is that the natural resources of this world are limited. Water, land and minerals will not continue to serve this world for eternity. These resources and limited and increase in population will put more and more pressure on these natural reserves. We should fear the day when these reserves will end. What the world do that day? It is also important to understand that growth should be sustainable and should not be at the expense of nature (Tan, Wu-Meng, 2000). Also human made things like schools and hospitals are not growing at a great pace. With an upward population pressure these institutions will soon be not enough for the population. This will be the case all over the world if population control is opposed globally. The problems of population are evident in highly populated countries like India where poverty is very high (Tully, M. 2004). Children do not get education and food just because there are too many children. Parents cannot bear the burden of these children. These problems accompany when there is an increase in population. Another reason why population control is essential is that increasing demand hikes the prices up and then only some factions of population are able to afford goods. This can be seen in oil and food products. A decrease in population will cause prices of these valuable commodities to go down. These commodities will also be then available for everyone. Population increase is directly responsible for increase in poverty. People who lack knowledge have a large number of kids and then they cannot support them with their income. Then their children also grow up and do the same. In this way generations and generations fall into the pitfalls of poverty and hunger. Education is not ubiquitous in developing countries and this is why population is increasing rapidly. Small families are also easy to manage. Parents can give time to their children when they have a small family. Children require attention and their up brining is mostly in the hand of parents. A lot of children can therefore reduce the time each child gets from parents. This is another reason why small families are advisable. In such a fast moving world time is valuable and parents will only be able to give sufficient time to their children if and only if they have small families. Population control can also increase the participation of women in workforce. Fewer children will mean that women will have more time to work and in this way productivity of the economy can be increased. More children will mean more time and energy on the part of mother and this will directly result in reduction of her productivity. Productivity of women should be increased because it will allow the economies of countries to expand. This can be achieved by population control. Arguments against Population Control There are many arguments that are forwarded against birth control. In this section we will present such arguments. One of the arguments that are given in favor population control is that population increases the work force and increased labor will increase the process of industrialization in developing countries. This argument calls for increase in population on economic grounds saying more workers will lead to prosperity. Some people also argue that the talk against over population is highly biased and exaggerated. These people do not admit that population is a big problem and argue that the natural resources of the world are not to deplete in near future. Also argument of evolution is given that when a time will come that natural resources will be depleting the people will evolve. According to this argument all talk on population control is a waste of time because over population will not cause problems for the world. The most famous and popular argument against population control has its roots in theology. It is said that people have no right to interfere in God’s work and therefore birth control or population control should not be practiced because it is interference with God and nature itself. These people think that God is responsible for everything in the world and if He has not stopped us from giving birth to more children then no one should talk about population control. Another argument in favor of population control is that people should be free to do anything they want. Until they are not hurting others in the society then any person cannot be stopped to have children. People should be free to have as many children as they want (BBC, 2011). This argument is generally forwarded when attempts are made to curb the population of the world. Some people also believe that population control is another means by which the rich powers of the world are trying to hamper the growth of the developing world. Examples of China and India are given and how they have made full use of their population by developing their industrial base. Response to these Arguments against Population Control The first argument against population control is that it will increase the work force of a country. Any person with a brain of a fly will tell that this argument holds no weight. People who will produce things will also consume them. Also at all times there will be children who will be dependent on others. This is why overall production will not increase but will decrease as a result of population growth. The idea that natural resources will not deplete in future is mere shortsightedness. One day natural resources will end eventually and the world has to plan for that time. It is not possible for everyone to be optimistic and do nothing. We have to decrease our population in order to fight this threat. The religious argument against population control holds no weight too. 1000 years ago surgery was also considered ‘unnatural’. Women choosing rulers was also an idea that was ‘immoral’. All these things became natural after society has achieved a level of intellectual development. In this case too this will happen and after sometime people will get out of the influence of religion. The talk about personal rights cannot justify population growth. Utilitarianism should guide us in this regard. According to utilitarianism we should aim for maximum good of the maximum number so a utilitarianist would argue that population should be controlled (LaFave, S. 2006). The reason for this is that the maximum good for the people is in population control so that’s why overall interest of the people overcomes personal rights. People should also understand that it is no needless propaganda. Population is a serious problem for the world. This is no conspiracy involved in population control. The developing world is lagging behind because of population and people should understand this. The idea of population control looks alien because human beings have always seen population as a survival method. When our ancestors lives in tribes they wanted to reproduce more in order to keep their tribe strong. This thinking is the basis of opposition of birth control. There are certain things with which human beings have strong aversion because these things hindered reproduction like homosexuality and population control. This aversion has evolutionary basis. But as the world is developing we need to develop intellectually and emotionally. And evidence is clear that population growth is necessary for long term survival. Conclusion Population control is very important and its importance cannot be ignored. The world is facing serious poverty and energy crisis due to increase population rates. Also population control is essential so that women can become active part of workforce. The arguments of rights, morality and religion hold no value because their basis is illogical. People cannot just go on reproducing without thinking of the consequences of their actions on the whole world. The limited resources of the will deplete one day and that is the day we should all fear from. Works Cited Page LaFave, S. Utilitarianism. West Valley College Philosophy Department, 2006. Web. http://instruct.westvalley.edu/lafave/util.htm Mass Birth Control Programs. Ethics Guide. BBC, 2011. Web. http://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/contraception/mass_birth_control_1.shtml Tan, Wu-Meng. Over Population and Contraception. International Debate education association, 2000. Web. http://www.idebate.org/debatabase/topic_details.php?topicID=37 Tully, M. India's population: A problem for all? BBC News, 2004. Web. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/3602862.stm Read More