Abstract
Fertility is one of the most debated issues in Bangladesh. The rate of fertility is very high compared to countries like Kenya, due to poor family planning. However, the rate has been on the decline due to factors that include education, employment opportunities, and erosion of degrading traditional beliefs. Illiteracy among women in Bangladesh is caused by demeaning cultural beliefs that ignore the need for women to get educated.
Women are considered inferior to men. Illiteracy contributes to high fertility rates because women do not acquire knowledge on the importance of family planning. This hurts development because few women take part in activities that promote economic development. Education is important because it teaches women the importance of using family planning methods such as contraceptives. Fertility rates are low in countries where women are educated.
Introduction
Fertility is one of the most critical issues that affect Bangladesh. The fertility rate in the country depends on several factors that include population density, level of education, and culture. These factors are responsible for the high rate of fertility in Bangladesh. Many women are illiterate and as such embrace cultural values that advocate for large families. Despite the negative influence of these factors, the rate of fertility has been on the decline in past years.
This decline has been initiated by the inability of available resources to support the growing population. Education is an important factor that determines the choices that people make about fertility. In Bangladesh, illiteracy among women has contributed to the high rates of fertility (Levine 2007). The situation has been worsened by the religious beliefs of women who believe in bearing many children.
Compared to Kenyan women who possess knowledge on family planning, Bangladesh women rarely use contraceptives. However, with the introduction of education on family planning, the rates have declined significantly (The World Factbook). Fertility has a direct relationship to a country’s development.
Low fertility rates lead to more involvement of women in jobs, thus promoting economic development. Highly fertile women spend most of their time carrying pregnancies and taking care of their babies.
On the other hand, high fertility rates lead to high population growth. High populations put pressure on available resources, thus decreasing development. Finally, high fertility rates lead to a decline in the quality of health care services because of population pressure. Controlled population growth ensures that health services are of high quality and sufficient for a country’s population.
A healthy population is necessary for a country’s economic development. Delayed marriage age and birth spacing are important for the reduction of fertility rates. These have resulted in more educational opportunities for women, erosion of cultural practices, and involvement of women in employment.
Conclusion
Reducing the rate of fertility is an important factor in promoting a country’s economic development. Over the years, a high rate of fertility has affected the economic development of Bangladesh. This has resulted from illiteracy among women, which has caused high population growth. A high population puts pressure on available resources, thus affecting development. However, the situation is changing.
Women are getting educated, hence learning to plan their families by postponing the ages at which they get married. As a result, they are seizing employment opportunities, thus contributing to economic development.
High fertility rates divert government funding to control population growth instead of channeling that money to economic activities. Finally, high populations, which result from high rates of fertility, jeopardize the quality of health care services.