The issue of overpopulation is getting more heated nowadays. The planet is not able to sustain the ever-growing population. Considering those problems, specialists from varied fields of science have engaged in an active debate regarding fertility control. The following paper aims at observing the key arguments for and against the position “the world would be better off with fewer people”.
Addressing the key arguments for the position “the world would be better off with fewer people”, it important to note that they are integrated around the concept of scarcity. Particularly, the proponents of fertility control support their position by the fact that the degrading environment is no longer able to provide for the needs of so many people, and with the duration of time and increase of the population, the problem will become much worse.
Next, they state that without interference into the state of affairs with the environment, people may even lose their habitat and thus, the planet will not be able to support life at all. Another argument is that the size of the population is not the only problem since its structure is also of great importance. This means that the countries with a growing population face social problems because their governments are not able to provide economical and political security to their citizens (Parker, Seager & Lind, 2009).
Further, the key arguments against the position“the world would be better off with fewer people” are based on the idea of more efficient distribution of resources and “technological improvement” in the developing courtiers (Parker et al., 2009, para 28). The opponents of population control state that technology is able to solve the problem of scarcity and environmental pollution. Furthermore, they quote the opinions of scientists who present the data demonstrating demographic development and the number of people the planet is capable of sustaining. Based on the findings of those specialists, the opponents of population control state that the planet is able to provide for the larger population.
In addition, people supporting this position argue that poor countries have appeared in such a situation, not because of the size of their population, but because “they lack some combination of modern technology, efficient economic systems (including public agencies as well as markets), equitable distribution of wealth and constitutional and accountable government” (Parker et al., 2009, para 34). Finally, those who oppose fertility control make an emphasis on the ethical and moral implications of the issue.
Speaking about my own position on the issue, it is necessary to note that I tend to support the proponents of population control. Scarcity is an important variable that should be taken into account when important decisions regarding the future of humanity are made. People should understand that resources are limited including clean water, food, fuel, etc., and for that reason, family planning is the only way to improve the situation. No one would want to see their children starving, being unemployed, and having no meaningful purpose in their life. Similarly, no honest person would want to see one’s fellow humans in such a situation. Therefore, the time has come to interfere into the family planning matters just the same as they did in China.
In conclusion, since the resources of the planet are getting more and more limited, humanity must develop a strategy that will improve the situation. Definitely, the opponents of population control have some strong arguments to support their position, but the facts of reality demonstrate that mandatory family planning has become necessary.
Reference
Parker, J., Seager, J, & Lind, M. (2009). Too many people? Web.