What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Population Control?
The main advantage of population control seems to be the increase in economic stability and better living conditions, while the most common disadvantages are the difficulty in enforcing such a policy and the lack of success because of this according to a report published by the University of Omaha. There are many other advantages and disadvantages to consider as well.
One of the most significant examples of population control has taken place in China. It includes methods such as contraceptive medications and surgeries, offers of special benefits for those with fewer children and authorization as a requirement for pregnancy.
There have been many benefits seen due to the policies China has implemented. The country has raised standards of living by keeping population growth under control. Access to natural resources has increased dramatically, including the availability of simple tap water, natural gas and medical coverage. Life expectancy has doubled, and infant mortality rates have lowered by nearly two-thirds.
These advantages have not been without consequences. The Chinese government has had to deal with a political and social outcry from their citizens regarding the policies. Other countries, including the United States, have expressed disapproval with the sterilization techniques that are involved in the population control policies, including forced termination of unplanned or unauthorized pregnancies. There have been many cases of forged authorization documents, and many people in rural communities, who require larger families to help maintain their farms, have found ways around the birth-quota system.
