Population control is the process of controlling the growth rate of the human population. In recent years, the world has experienced massive population growth, so there is a need to control the population growth. The rise of the population is significantly damaging the planet, contributing to the depletion of natural resources, among other essential resources. Population growth has numerous advantages and disadvantages for human beings. Population control measures are put in place to curb the rise in population. Let us discuss some common merits and demerits associated with population control.
Pros of population control
Here are the merits of population control:
1. Reduction of overpopulation. Overpopulation occurs when the number of people exceeds the available resources.
The planet Earth has a limited capacity regardless of its resources and people. Population control measures aim to reduce or control the population’s growth rate. Thus, population control reduces the risk of overpopulation.
2. Solving pollution issues. The higher the population, the higher the cases of pollution. Pollution usually occurs where there are many people, and the garage collection is beyond control. Population control measures reduce the cases of overpopulation, and hence there is a pollution reduction. Therefore, one of the measures of fighting environmental and global problems is controlling the population’s growth rate.
3. Solving congestion problems. Overpopulation in a small geographical area is likely to lead to congestion. Congestion, on the other side, is likely to give birth to other issues like pollution, high crime rate and road congestion. Population control plays a central role in controlling a given area’s population, thus solving problems associated with congestion.
4. Low pressure on available water. In overpopulated land, there is high pressure on the public water supplies. This lead to water shortage problems in these areas. To solve this problem, there is a need to control the population growth rate.
5. Reduction of poverty in society. In highly populated areas, there are many educated but jobless people. The high population leads to unemployment, resulting in poverty in the community. Population control measures help in controlling the rate of poverty in society. A controlled population ensures the available resources match the number of skilled people, so unemployment cases are minimal. In addition, the government can manage the population by providing subsidies.
6. Better treatment. The government can provide better treatment to areas that are lowlily populated than overpopulated areas. In overpopulated areas, the ratio of doctors to patients is worrying. For instance, one doctor may be assigned to more the 150 people. Additionally, parents can easily take care of the few children in a controlled population.
7. Few cases of unwanted children. Population control reduces the chances of having unwanted children. Using contraceptives and other family planning pills ensures parents have limited children. This alleviates problems and challenges that arise when one has many children.
8. Reduction of crime rate. An increase in the crime rate is usually associated with poverty and overpopulation. If the population growth rate is controlled, the overpopulation issue in society is solved. Therefore, the number of crimes is reduced as well.
9. Environmental protection. Overpopulation endangers the natural habitats in the community. As the population is growing, there is a need to get more land for farming and building, leading to deforestation and the destruction of other natural habitats. Population control helps control the number of people in a given area, balancing the available land and the number of people.
Cons of Population Control
Here are the demerits that come along with population control:
1. Religious ideologies. It is believed that the role of Christian is to multiply and fill the world. The rule of population control is against the beliefs of Christians. Therefore, controlling the population would hinder many Christians’ freedom to multiply and fill the world.
2. Increased abortions. One way to control population growth is aborting unborn babies. This population control measure has led to the death of many unborn babies.
3. Difference in countries’ population structure. Not all countries adopt population control measures; this poses a significant difference in the population structure of these countries. Some countries tend to avoid these measures since they can lead to the collapse of the social security system of the country in question.
4. under population. Underpopulation is a situation where a country or area’s population is low compared to the available resources. A country that experiences a high mortality rate and practices population control is likely to suffer from underpopulation problems.
5. Effect on the economy. Population control reduces the number of young and energetic people in the community. Most of the people in the population are old, thus less productive. This leads to economic downsides.
6. High migration rate. The government may have rules and restrictions to control the population. However, couples and families that want to have many children may decide to relocate to other places that do not have the limits. This leads to migration from one area to another. The areas that the couples migrate from may suffer from underpopulation.
7. Cultural concerns. In some communities and tribes, children are viewed as wealth. Therefore, the more children you have, the wealthier you are. If a government imposes population control measures on such communities, it will violate their cultural values. Additionally, communal activities are greatly affected when there is population control.
8. It limits human rights and freedom. Human beings are entitled to have their own families and give birth to more children who will be citizens of that country. When a government imposes population control measures, it limits human beings’ freedom and rights.
9. Rise of new diseases. Population control measures involve contraceptives and family planning drugs capable of controlling the birth rate. These drugs may have side effects on the users and give rise to new diseases such as cancer.
