BellaOnline Forums Relationships Married No Kids More kids, more poverty, less intelligence...

So, I am listening to NPR talking about how we will have 9 billion people on this planet in 20 years. They are talking about how they can all be fed. They are talking about how most of these people will be born into impoverished situations. So, I am wondering... instead of trying to feed so many extra poor people, shouldn't BIRTH CONTROL be provided???

Why oh why cannot humanity figure out that having children that cannot be provided for is no virtue.

Because human beings typically are selfish.

that's a scary number! out of curiousity, what kind of ideas were they proposing to solve the food issue? I may be wrong, but in impoverised nations don't people view their children as their "insurance policy" someone to take care of them in old age? I agree birth control should be provided, along with money for NOT having more than 1 or two kids... you know like how they pay farmers in the US to NOT grow certain crops (sounds completely awful but if people in poor countries are having lots of kids to "feel safe" maybe money might help offset some fear?)

@ Cassie67 Not just selfish, they are also stupid. People seem to think it's selfless to have kids, but it's no more or less selfish than any other decision. They're not choosing to have kids for the kids, because they don't even exist yet. They're choosing to do it because it's what they want. How anyone can justify it as "unselfish" just because they have to sacrifice something to get something else they want for themselves is beyond me. I'll never understand it.

Honestly, I think it's cultural. If we look around the globe, we find that *generally speaking* higher-educated societies have fewer children per family. The problem with that is since we are increasingly global, those of us who have chosen not to indiscriminately procreate will be paying for those who do.

The "fixes" to the food shortage problem seemed to come in two forms: agricultural technology (better fertilizers, etc.) and genetic manipulation of crops. Also, some improvements in logistics as food spoilage during transport and storage was discussed.

I know I'm not overly excited about GM crops but I also understand they are already in our food supply, we just aren't fully aware and informed of it.