The Population Problem Session 3

What’s the problem? The world’s population is growing at an alarming rate and the problems to be faced are many and serious. Firstly – there is the problem of space – where will more people live? There are the problems of food and resource provision Will the world be able to house and feed the extra numbers? Will there be enough minerals and energy supplies to provide for sufficient industry, trade and social services?

Why now? These problems are not new – the ancient Greeks and Egyptians were concerned about the results of there being too many people. The world’s population is not so much expanding as exploding

Why now? The Rev Thomas Malthus (1766 – 1834) wrote a famous essay in 1798 which discussed the problems caused by population growth. He argued that the number of people always increases faster than the food supplies and that eventually the world would be unable to feed its people. When that point is reached,nature would impose her own checks on further growth in the form of diseases, famines and wars.

Population Growth There is a myth that, since the world’s population might find standing space on the Isle of Wight, there must be plenty of land to go round. Wrong. There are vast stretches of land that are likely to remain unproductive and therefore unpopulated (EG mountains, forests, marshes, too hot/cold, too wet/dry). It is estimated that only 20% of the earth’s land is capable of use for agriculture and habitation. In developing countries this pressure of numbers results in hunger, poor sanitation and poverty. In developed countries it leads to concerns about the pollution of land, water and atmosphere and the deterioration of social facilities.

Overpopulation is related to the natural and human resources available in an area and causes major problems to which solutions cannot easily be found Overpopulation is where there are too many people for the resources in the country

What are the solutions to problems of overpopulation Case Study: China Countries must try to relieve the pressure of population on resources. China offers a system of ‘incentives’ including fines and job demotions for over productive parents

China – The One Child Policy With some 1200 million people, China stresses the need to stabilise its population and to maintain the recent rise in living standards. Social workers urge families to comply and provide means of birth control. Couples with only one child received social benefits. The rate of increase has steadily fallen even though rural families have not readily complied. For those who still work on the land – a large family can mean a greater income.

China – The One Child Policy From 1983 the Chinese government has attempted to control the ever increasing population. Special social workers or ‘Nannies’ visit all houses with women of child-bearing age on a regular basis to check that they are not pregnant. In fact any couple who intend to have a child are meant to ask for permission prior to conception. Needless to say – family planning measures, contraceptives and abortions are very common.

One child means happiness Free Education for your ONE child We want this baby and we can afford two. You will be killing our baby I want a son to help in the fields I want my baby brother It is not a baby until it is born. An abortion is painless and will spare you financial penalties. We must make sacrifices if our country is to feed us

One child means happiness For you with One child Free education for your one child Allowances to help you to bring up your one child Priority Housing Pension Benefits For you with Two children No free education No allowances No pension benefits Payment of a fine to the state from earnings

Activity You must read through the information about the China and the One Child policy Answer these four questions 1.Why did the Chinese Government introduce the One Child Policy? 2.What effect has the Policy had on the population of China? 3.What are the good and bad points about this particular policy ? 4.One of the main issues is the ‘Sanctity of Life’ that the Chinese Government have – what does this mean and how might the Chinese Government be breaking fundamental human rights

Other information In your revision day pack you will find some modern day information from the Chinese Government and from the BBC web site about overpopulation – do they consider the One child policy to be a success?