KRIS-CROSSING MINDANAOThey’re at Malthus again
By Antonio J. Montalvan IILast updated 01:19am (Mla time) 07/10/2006
Published on page A15 of the July 10, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer
I AM REFERRING TO THE ANTI-LIFE AND ANTI-family advocates who seem not to run out of clever ways to insert their Western-based agenda into every conceivable legislation they can think of. Now they would have 21 bills of various concerns consolidated into an omnibus law covering reproductive health, population policy, two-child policy and sex education for the youth. Of the bills, at least three promote the use of artificial contraception in the guise of promoting “women’s health.”
These advocates have turned a valid societal concern into a euphemism for their real agenda-population control. If they really want to address women’s health, why is there no attempt to include Senate Bill 319? The bill seeks to ban abortive drugs and devices. The bills exclusion gives away outright the sinister intentions of the advocates.
The basis of their arguments of course, is the erroneous belief that a decline in population means economic growth and development. Thomas Robert Malthus was an English demographer from 1766-1834. It was he who introduce the rather pessimistic principle that foresaw the world’s population out running food supply, leading to decrease food per person.
To check population growth, Mathus advocated, among other solutions, what we called “moral restraint and vice.” This population control strategy called for the late marriage and sexual abstinence; but is also advocated infanticides, murder, contraception and homosexuality. But there’s the catch in the Malthus proposal: these solutions would apply only to the poor and working classes. In the Mathusian argument, only the lower social classes would assume social responsibility for societal ills.
Since then many have misinterpreted Malthus, even overlooking other aspects of his argument. For example, there are those who ignore for the fact that Malthus himself, even as he pressed for population control, stated that we cannot denigrate man’s capacity (he called it power) to increase food supply.
Those who do cling to Malthus’ theory up to this day misinterpret not just for his thought. In there vain desire to adopt the western culture of licentious behavior in the name of freedom and self-determination, they have put up their own smokescreen to keep them from seeing a succession of various scholars and students that have effectively debunked Malthus since 1960’s. At least one such study, published in 1966, was not only a pioneering initiative at that time; it gaves its proponent a Nobel prize honor. Since then, up until 1990’s and the present, a progression of other studies has only pointed to the emerging reality: there just is no population bomb.
Not only that, countries that have been lured by the Malthusian myth into running a “successful” population program now have to address the grim reality of diminishing human resources. Japan, Germany and Italy are now in the throes of the so called “ demographic winter.” The governments of Russia, Singapore, South Korea, and Bulgaria are now offering incentives to encourage childbearing in the attempt to curb population decline.
Yet here in the Philippines, anti-life advocates-usually pikon when criticize despite the fact that they have access to the legislative powers-that-be-cling to an out-of-touch, outdated and archaic thinking that even their Western gods have failed to prove in their respective countries. The advocates seem not to hear the alarm bells ringing in countries where the demographic winter has set in, countries that are now repentant at having toyed with Malthus theory.
Why the recalcitrance on the part of our anti-life advocates? There clearly a colonial agenda here that is tied to Western purse strings. These agenda-makers may not be obtrusive with their presence. It is even possible that some advocates are aware of them or have not yet notice them. But I won’t be surprise if there lurks in the shadows such anti-life giant octopuses as Planned Parenthood, whose tentacles may have spread far and wide to influence Philippine legislative efforts.
Population control is simply not the solution to poverty. The Philippine population control program, in place since the 1970’s and funded by billions of pesos of public money, has brought down the population from 3.08 percent during the period of 1960-1970 to 2.36 percent during the period 1995-2000. Despite the population decline, however, poverty incidence has not been reduce significantly. Clearly then, there are other factors that are not being address. Try curbing graft and corruption, as we expects legislators to do.
The proposed bills are premised on the belief that we are poor because we are too many. Fewer births may (or may not) mean less expense for a family, depending on its priorities. What is certain however, is that less births means less people for the labor force in the next 20 years. Higher population densities do not necessarily translate into lower personal income. We have certainly seen this in thickly populated areas that exhibit higher incomes and greater economic activity (the National Capital Region, Southern Tagalog, Cebu, Davao, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea; as opposed to Bolivia, Kenya, Ethiopia, which have lower density but also lower personal income)
Finally, when must we put a stop to the use of the term “reproductive health” which, in international forums, is simply a catch-all jargon that includes abortion; but which local advocates have repeatedly denied? The attempt to redefine a term that has become part of an all-encompassing political definition is a lame method of deceit and dishonesty.
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19 comments:
For the article I have read, I agree a little part of Malthus theory. The part wherein he said that he recommend late marriage for the poor people. Why? Nowadays, we need to think practically.We must secure and ensure for our future if we are planning to have a family. We need to have a job first and to be aware in money management.
Here in the Philippines we all know that we are facing an economic crisis. Just like- increase in population,food shortage, water supply, job and many other. And one of the very common and major problem here in our country is the increase in the population. That's one of the reason why some family can't even eat three times a day. It is so because family don't have enough money to sustain their daily needs maybe because either they don't have a job or source of income. This is also one factor that affect our economy.
For me, increase in the population is not a hindrance for us to be successful and/or our economic rate will increase. It is within the ability and the determination of a person.
Comparing the people living here in the Philippines and in abroad, I say there is a big difference. One of the major difference is the economic status. It is because people abroad are too busy and they don't have any time for enjoying,playing or for short-good time(sex)while here in the Philippines, people are too lazy that they are just contented having no job and prefer to stay at home. Thinking, they get bored so most probably, thay have a lot of time having a good time and that's why in the end there would be a baby.
With this, I can say that Filipinos just need to think practically because it will affect your future including your children. If all Filipinos would just strive and strive and to think positively, it is not impossible that you will succeed in the future and there would maybe a chance that our economic rate will increase.
Based on what I have read on the article of Anotnio Montalvan, I've sensed that it was been focused on the "Reproductive Health" and to the population of the country. Thomas Robert Malthus, an English demographer, introduced the rather pessimistic principle that foresaw, the world's population out running of food supply, leading to decrease food per person. For me, these kind of principle was not that right. It was then decreases the foods that suet for just one person. And it may also lead the people to malnutrition. To check the population growth, Malthus advocated one of the solutions called " Moral Restraint and Vice." It was nice to be one of the solutions in preventing the increase of population. It was also said on the article that it was also advocated as infanticides, murder, contraceptor, and homosexuality. But,Malthus' proposal catches these solutions, that it would apply only on poor and working classes which is very helpful to lessen the population. Because for me, those poor ones who really don't have jobs, and only remains only at home, will do such things that can add to the population. I'm not saying that they should not do that kind of things, but as what we see today, our country is facing such economic crisis. That's why we need some help from the Government, that they should make some actions for these, and also for those people who really continue in making the population bigger, they should decide first before doing something. And for those women who are pregnant, hope they will not abort their babies. Like with the poor, they even think what would be the life of their children in the future, knowing that they are facing economic crisis nowadays. We, people, must learn how to make or decide things in a right way. We must be more open-minded on our lives today. Do the right things that leads us to the right path. These article is helpful to us. Especially to us students, because through this, we can understand what was going on in our economy and country.
In this article, I slightly agree with Malthus’ Theory that the poor ones must have the responsibility to control population. Because, if they would pursue on making many babies, maybe, in the present time, they will suffer such consequences- food shortening, water pollution, land pollution, and also, air pollution. And, it doesn’t mean that when you have fewer births: less income and higher population: higher income, it’s all about how a person works/strives just to earn money to help his/her family.
I slightly disagree to what the writer was saying in the 2nd-to-the-last- paragraph that “less birth mean less people for the labor force in the next 20 years… And, thickly populated areas exhibit higher incomes and greater economic activity” because, what will be the essence of having greater population for greater labor force in the next 20 years if that large number of people didn’t know how to make things possible and are not educated? For me, it’s better to have lesser people for labor force but are cooperative and are well-educated than to have greater people for the labor force but are so sluggish and are like “Juan Tamad”, and also lazy, because, as we all know, Economics deals with economical status of a certain place, so, in return, less people that are so cooperative may become one of the main factors which rises the economy than those greater people but are so lazy and not cooperative.
And, one thing I want to react is when the writer said “women’s health” in the 1st paragraph lest not attempting to include Senate Bill 319, which seeks to ban abortive drugs and devices. How stupid those people are, saying “women’s health” yet not stopping those abortionists to do their works and yet not stopping those abortions and without banning those abortive drugs and devices?! Oh my God! Well, if they want those women to be healthy not only physically but also orally and sexually, they must attempt to pass the Senate Bill 319 to the congress or to the president just to secure that those women can take their assurance.
So, as a resulting part, we, people, must have the initiative to make decisions as significant as it can be. And people must have the thinking of making things right for we, people, holds our own future, but then, God is always there to support us.
About this article, I agree with Malthus that those developing countries (like the Philippines) should implement the two child policy or birth control. A lot of politicians are making some laws about these problems. But nothing was signed by the President. Just like what she says in her last SONA that she will only support the Natural Family Planning Method because the church supports these too. The church always disagrees about the law on using contraceptives. But some non-government organizations are using it right now and giving it as free to the poor. There are some advertisements on the importance of contraceptives and they teach how to use this. But as we all know that the first that will disagree about this is the church. Church always contradicts on science. For me, the church is so kill joy; can they manage these things about the population growth increase? The church considered the contraceptives as an abortion.
It’s the people’s choice if they will support the church or the artificial Family Planning Method, but it’s the way on how they manage their families and how they will raise them.
Erik Savereid's Law states that "The chief source of problem is its solution itself".
If we are going to relate what is happening right now in the Philipines,the government really has difficulty in making a solution with the economical status that we are dealing, particularly the ongoing poverty crisis. People say that because of the huge population, filipinos does not have enough job for them to be employed, food for them to eat, and also money for their living.
It is the government's task to do the job in making an excellent outcome in terms of the population crisis, as it results to what Malthus theory dictates-- The progress of the country depends on the the population. The problem here is that even though the senate, NGOs, and other organizations recommends or atleast suggests solutions, the government seems closing their ears and does not here what the majority's plea is.
In pres. Arroyo's SONA, she boldy announced that she will not support artificial contraceptives for family planning just because, in my own opinion, she is afraid that she will definitely lose the church's support once she approved the bill, knowing that she already have lost the filipino people's.
The question here is if Pres. Arroyo has the absolute capability of making an alternative and more effective move to solutioniozed the said major problem.
As a concerned student, the government should not be influenced of what the catholic church believes, just like what most developed countries are now practicing. We should always think of what is really the best for our country and hence should not rely on what the catholic church dictates. Also, we should change ourselves and become a very responsible individual for our own benefits.
Time is constantly running. The government should make a bold move before it is too late for them to pull a rabbit out of a hat, in the eleventh hour, when i am sure at that time a pursuit for a miracle is dubious.
Just like in an avalanche, all we need is a pile of snow to get it started.
Philippines must have a stable economic status to be more progressive.For a country to be progressive, there should be a balance in supply and demand, but, as what we have observe here in our country the number of demand increases while our supply remains the same. Because people are not satisfied of what they have, they intend to have more, that's where the increase in demand occur, having less stock and supply to produce. That's the problem we must solve. We must think of a possible solution to help improve the economic status in our country.
As of Malthus theory, the population must be controlled by the people themselves. They must think of possible ways to help lessen the population aside from abortion and so on, because if the population will increase, the government cannot sustain the needs of the people, thus, people will suffer.
In this piece of writing, i agree on what Malthus has stated in this assumption of Population Policy, because poor people actually need this kink of policy to prevent our country from scar city or to stop this kind of problem rather.
If this regulation has executed earlier from our generation, I'm sure that this country had revolutionized. But how can this policy put into action from the beginning if our very own president, herself is busy debasing? This condition has lead millions of people to suffer from this kind of manage.
How can people limit their abortion, birth control, euthanasia, genocide, infanticide, and natural family planning if the government cannot manage?
Some other countries has already controlled their population by having policies , immigration, and family planning.
So, as an ending to my undersized observation, the government especially the President must look at the future outcome of our dearly country as time goes by.
Since the end of World War II, the Philippine economy has had a mixed history of growth and development. Over the years, the Philippines have gone from being one of the richest countries in Asia (following Japan) to being one of the poorest.
In this article, I agree with Malthus theory about the less birth means less people. Increase of the population is one of the major problems in our country nowadays and can affect the Philippine economy. If our population continues to increase our country will suffer some problems just like pollutions in water, air and soil, food shortage, lack of water supply, and many people will be having a difficulties on applying for a job.
Increase in population is one of the causes of poverty, for the reasons that family can’t afford or can’t sustain for their daily needs. People in the Philippines are not satisfied of what they have so that’s why the increase of demand increases while the number of supply remains the same. That’s the reason why our country has no improvements when it comes to economic development.
So, we Filipinos should think of the solutions on how to improve the economic rate of the Philippines. We should be aware of what is happening in our country right now and be careful of some of our decisions in life to help improve the Philippine economy.
Cris-crossing Mindanao-they're at Malthus again. Based on the Philippine economic status, we could say that not only Mindanao is experiencing the Malthusian catastrophe that talks about the population growth outpacing agricultural production, even Luzon and Visayas. or better say, almost the whole world is experiencing this catastrophe.
I agree a bit with Montalvan's article and agree a lot with Malthus' theory.
His article talks about the defectiveness of the proposed bills by the advocates. Omnibus law covering reproductive health, population policy, two child policy, sex education and other bills published by the higher officials are not that effective for only the people themsleves can help solve this dilemma. but the most problem is that they aren't helping their own selves solve this kind of problem. When the government implements programs to help people, tendencies such as dependency and laziness happen to them. situations such as helping the poor ones in terms of feeding them for a day, how about the following days to come?, medical programs for the poor to cure common diseases, how about the disease comes again? The population is one of the big reason why this country is experiencing this kind of situation, but it is still in the people's actions and their commitment to help solve this problem. On the other side of this article, these bills and laws are a bit effective, as what i've said, i agree a "bit" with Montalvan's article for the population of the Philippines ran down to 3.08% from 1960-1970 and 2. 36% during 1995-2000. this shows and proves to us that these bills are effective but in only a period of time not that effective to cure the country's serious disease.
Proofs such as poverty, lack of water supply, and other unstable supply of things that people need to live are in connection to the meaningful theory of Malthus. Due to the rapid population growth here in this world, specifically, the Republic of the Philippines, the supplies that people need are not that enough to sustain the needs of the people living in it. as what the theory said, population growth is outpacing the agricultural production because of the limited resouces, and the unlimited needs of people. this theory depicts about the economical situation over several generations so to think about it, what would be the economical situation of the next generations if we think that this could be the worst?
The one that started the problem is the only one that could solve it. So if the poeple are the ones involved in this economical problem, they are only the ones that could help solve it unless they like their situation now (who would?).
When people depends, they suffer at the end.
Philippines is now suffering crisis.And from what can be seen in the society its now even worse and not impossible to reach to worst scenario.So base from what is seen which is now very alarming analyts tried to find some ways and the one is proposed to give aid to this crisis is the birth control.
Since then Filipinos already have the knowledge about birth control but the problem is that they don't apply it.So know it is proposed some groups of people that Malthus theory will be strictly implemented.
Malthus theory is a strategy control strategy called for the late marriage and sexual abstinence; but is also advocated infanticides, murder, contraception and homosexuality.We knew that Filipinos are very conservatives that even the use of contraceptives is a big deal to them especially for the old folks.And how much more if you would try to implement abortion to be legal??
So I think it would be really hard for them to convince the society much more with the religious sectors.But if you would really think of it this strategy is a good one but it would require to unmerciful just to be practical.
In general I agree with Montalvan in implementing the Bill which prohibit to sell abortion pills and paraphernalia s and also Malthus except for the murder and infanticides
Furthermore if Malthus theory will be implemented still its not an assurance to our recovery from poverty cause still there are a lot of factors and population is just one of the tributaries.
As what I have understand in this article,it merely explains such problem relating to our society specifically here in the Philippines.Filipino nowadays feel the consequences such problem relating to the abnormal increase in population such as food shortage,water shortage and etc.Government nowadays need urgent solution in this case.Some would say that 2 child policy is the solution,some say that contraceptives are also the best solution...Probably I could say yes,it can also help to solve this problem.But unfortunately, the Catholic Bishops did not agree in this kind of solution because it is considered as a sin to our most Holy God,which is true.As of now,the anti and pro life advocates are still debating this kind of solution.
For me, the best thing to do to overcome this gigantic problem is that Government should educate people particularly those poor people in which they particularly have many siblings that they should control their emotion. And also ,not only the government but all of us should control ourselves in terms of "sexual activities"...In this case,I would rather say that Malthus' theory gives big deal in our problem and maybe we can apply it.In general,this problem would easily surpassed if we help each other,hand in hand to make this life in a comfortable way.
In this article, I was really impressed and agree of what is the topic all about. The Malthu's theory in my opinion is not good for increasing the food supply and economic growth. As you can see many Western countries used this policy like in China who has a policy of " one child policy". This policy cannot help the economic growth and less births means less people for the labor force in the next 20 years. Not only in the economic point of view but also the upbringing of the child. And I agree also that population control is not the solution to poverty.
REACTION TO THE PUBLISHED ARTICLE: "ABOUT MONTALVAN"
The Malthus theory article states that the increase of population will lead to economic problems such as running out food supplies and the basic commodities.
I agreed that the growth of the population affect the economic status of the country because, when the population of the country increases, the supply and demand also increases. But here in the Philippines, as the population increases the supply remains stable or decreases.
But I’m not saying that population control is simply the solution to poverty or economic problem. There are other factors such as graft and corruption in the government. In fact, Philippines government is known to be corrupt. And I’m strongly disagreed to productive health, artificial contraceptive and etc. as a solution to the economic problem because it is not a good solution especially to the women which may have negative effects to them.
Therefore, it is good that we will control the population growth. But we must put a stop to the use of reproductive health, artificial contraceptive and etc. because it is simply a catch-all jargon that includes abortion and it may have negative effects to the health of women. And there are some factors that we will include especially the government which is responsible for control.
The article mainly talks about the population and the economy. For me, I strongly believed that the density of the population doesn’t affect the economy of a country, maybe a bit, specifically here in the Philippines. Because some countries are still productive despite of its booming population, such example of this is China.
In my own point of view, the one who are making the Philippines a land of poverty are the government officials. They are the one in custody of making the Philippines a productive and economically healthy country.
The Philippines is known for its corruption, and lazy citizens. Maybe, this is the reason for why the Philippines is not progressing. Let’s not blame it on our population, because if we strive and work harder, I could barely see a glimpse of the future, in which our country will be on top by the next 8 years.
To sum up all my statements, basically I really don’t believe on Malthus Theory, because economic growth depends on the progress made by such individuals living on that country, and not on the quantity of the population. Other country increases their supply when the population increases. Funny though, but here on the Philippines is just worst, as the population increases, the demand of food and supply remains stable, stagnant, or even decreases! And this magnificent country of ours still continues to suffer!
Based on the article, I could only sight three solutions for this problem:
1.) Stop The Graft and Corruption made by the Government Officials.
2.) Change the lifestyle, or basically the laziness of the Filipino Citizens.
3.) Strive and work harder.
The population of the world grew at an infinitesimal rate for most of human history. With advances in science, agriculture and industry, population growth begins to accelerate. This extraordinary surge in population, combined with rising individual consumption of food, water and natural resources, has begun to strain Earth’s capacity to sustain human life. Human activities that cause pollution and invading the natural habitats are responsible for the greatest extinction of plant and animal species.
But these problems brought by overpopulation in a certain area will not be the hindrance for a country to progress. We should not believe or consider the mistaken belief that a decrease in population means economic growth and development. In Malthus’ theory, Malthus was concerned about the human potential to produce offspring in far greater numbers than the Earth’s ability to provide subsistence and survival. Malthus based his theory on the assumption that population grew faster that food supplies.
I don’t agree that population explosion is the reason why a certain area could not progress, that we are poor because we are too many. Population control is simply not the solution to poverty. Despite the population decline, poverty incidence has not been reduced significantly. What is undeniable is that less people for the labor force in the next 20 years. If only Filipinos will stand up and work for themselves, we will develop and improve more. We will take one step forward slowly and so on but surely and we will progress. We will take the chance or advantage that we are many. If all of us will help together, hand in hand, then our country will surely change a lot and become more productive.
I believe that if only our country’s leaders will work honestly and distribute evenly our resources, we will not fall into what we call “poverty”. If each one of us also cooperates for development of all aspects in our life, I think overpopulation is not a hindrance instead a contribution for more progressive society.
The article mainly talks about the arguments of the advocates who keep on inserting western-based agendas. The basis of their arguments is the belief that a decline in population means development and economic growth.
In our country, we should not follow the Malthus theory because it only implies to the lower classes in our society. This theory implements infanticide, two-child policy, contraception, and even murder which can lessen the population of our country. Only those countries that were blocked by the light of the western countries will follow this Malthusian proposal. These countries sacrificed their people in order to achieve economic growth.Malthus theory is against the bible. Our country, a Christian country, follows the bible.
Our country should not accept this kind of proposal because controlling the population is not the solution to poverty. Our country should focus on graft and corruption in order to achieve economic growth.That’s all.
About the article posted, it talks about Malthus' theory on
how to control a population of a country. He based his theory
on the population explosion that was already becoming evident
in the 18th century, and argued that the number of people
would increase faster than the food supply (stated in the Law
of Supply and Demand). This theory supports the famine we are
now facing in the Philippines which is the rice and crude oil
shortage and also supports the law that implies supply and
demand. Population would eventually reach a resource limit.
Any further increase would result in a population crash,
caused by famine, disease, or war.
Malthus was not optimistic about the outcome and suggested
that only ‘moral restraint’ (birth control) could prevent
crisis. Recent famines in Ethiopia and other countries, where
drought, civil war, and poverty have reduced agricultural
output, might suggest that Malthus was correct. In the USA,
the UK, and many other countries, the agrarian revolution
boosted food production, and contraception led to a decline
in birth rate; and in some countries population control
policies have been introduced.
To my point of view, I 50% sided to the statement "Increase
in population will devastate the economical status of a
country" and 50% to the statement "Increase in population
will help the economical status of a country".
To further ellaborate (I will only focus here in the Phil.),
to the side of devastating the economy, for example here in
the Philippines, it's a fact that the greater the population
the lower the economical status. Tracing back way in 1990's
the Philippine population was more than 66 million, up from
48 million in 1980. This figure represents an annual growth
rate of 2.5 percent, down from 2.6 percent in 1980 and from
more than 3 percent in the 1960s. And in 1990's we're still
progressive at that time. Why the Philippines is in great
crisis now is in the leaders itself and the habbit the pinoys
have-- poor people always looking up in our government for
aid instead of making iniatiative how to survive. We should
help our country to solve our problems not contributing! The
trend of law of supply and demand states that the higher the
population, the higher or even highest the demand exist.
About our leaders, money that come from the government which
is suppose to be for the people, they're just putting it in
their pockets like nothing happens!
Now, to the side of helping the economy. This requires labor
force. The more the population, the more the labor force
there is. So this would result to progress. Here in the
Phil., we have more labor force but not fully used because
there are many individuals who are jobless. But it's true
that the more people there are the progressive the country
will become. If China will continue its 2 child policy well
it would lead to less labor force.
I am with Malthus when he said about the usage of
contraceptives. In the Phil., it's the major contributor how
to lessen population. Especially teens now are so hot, they
need to bring pills or condom with them. In these days we
cannot stop teens from being so "flitry", so they to bring
with them contraceptives.
How can someone say in this IV-Rutherford group that poverty
is not the effect of overpopulation? It's always
overpopulation! Supply and demand remember? Malthus' theory
is the solution now waiting to be seen by the government!
The article talks about the situation of the Philippines. It is so true that the people living in the Philippines or the Filipinos have struggled a lot to work even it is so tiring just to support the needs of his or her family and also to support his or her personal needs. But many of the Filipinos now are in a poor situation. There are more poor Filipinos than average or rich Filipinos.
According to Malthus, that one of the things that made many of the Filipino people poor or in poverty is because population increases and many people don't have jobs and many children can't go to school because maybe his father is only a carpenter and his mother is just sailing vegetables in the market and he has 10brothers and sisters. Can we imagine this? So, we got the point that it is very hard for his parents to send him to school for he has many siblings.
Besides food shortages, homelessness, decrease in water supply and etc., increase in population is one of the problems or factors that affected our economy. Just like the situation of the family mentioned above that because thay have many children, thay can't send them all to school for many reasons just like financial problems and they don't have the budget to buy all what they need. Many of the poor people today can't even eat three meals a day.
For me, I don't agreed to have a two-child policy per family. It is okay to have two or more children as long as you can support the needs of each and you can send them all to school and you can also give them a better future.
I also don't agree why the poors have five of more children that they can't even support them while the rich has two or one or no child at all. It is very impotant to have "Birth-control" in every family. By that, little by little, we can help our economic sitution here in the Philippines. Also, the president has a hard time in solving this problem because there are too many people who needs financial help but it is not the greatest solution because people can become lazy if they are always provided by the government.
Malthus' theory is that there is less people if there is less birth. Well, I surely agreed to that. As we can compare it to other country like Switzerland, the population of the country is more or less than six million while the population here in the Philippines, we have 10 million people living in Manila City only! Can we imagine this?! That is why all the people in Switzerland has jobs and all the children can go to schools.
If the government can't solve this "Increasing in Population", who will? Of course the people themselves. They must think twice in making every decision in making or to have another child. Every Filipinos have the freedom, so they must think wisely for the better sake of our country.
I do not entirely disagree to the overall idea in this article.
I am with the advocates when they say that population is one of the major contributors in our economy whether if it is a problem or a solution but the fact is, it does create a big impact to the economy. Why so? Let’s say for example that if a country is suffering from population explosion, people’s needs and demand will increase. Some of these demands are the food supplies and job availability. Since a lot of people will need these things to survive, the government will find it hard to provide them these things. If the demand will increase and supplies will decrease, the equilibrium within the country will be badly damage and this will surely affect one’s economy.
If these advocates are looking for an answer to this population crisis and if they find it to be a necessity than I will not argue with that but the fact that they are bringing up abortion to be one of the solutions to these problems then I will strongly diverge. It is not rightful for the law to take a very innocent life (even if we say that we are dealing with the law here) just to minimize the population. What does an unborn child get to do with the mistakes that the people before them had committed, why do they have to be the one who’ll suffer? For whatever their motivation is or what they hope to achieve, I will support any kinds of solution concerning economical and population problems as long as it does not involve in taking people’s lives especially and unborn child.
And one thing that I do not agree of is about a fact concerning Malthus’s belief is that the application of these solutions, namely late marriage and sexual abstinence and even contraception and homosexuality, will only be applied to the poor. This is an unacceptable form of discrimination. Why only discipline the lower classes, why not teach elite people as well. Doesn’t mean that they are able to provide there kids with there needs that they will be excluded with these kinds of authorities. If they will produce kids more than a dozen then they are still affecting the symmetry when it comes to population.
And it is true that one must not only be focus to a thing or two but be open-minded to everything. We must not only worry about one problem. Why are we so focus in the population crisis when in fact there is still a lot of factors that are affecting our economy these days like graft and corruption for example. Since every people know, in Philippines, that we are living in Asia’s most corrupt country. Did it ever occur to you that why not finding a solution to this shameful act instead first? We should also clarify other problems rather than fretting over one only.
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