The rapid increase in human population is one of the underlying factors driving the ecological crisis. Despite efforts on the part of educators to raise awareness of environmental issues, the ecological impact of a burgeoning population -- and the ethical implications of having children -- remains an unbroachable topic. Nevertheless, the increase…

China's one-child policy has been an unprecedented policy experiment in human history. Despite its significant achievements, the policy has induced equally significant potential problems. As problems of the one-child policy have been widely noticed and suggestions for adjustments are available, the leadership transition of China in 2012 and 2013…

Utah is the fastest growing state in the United States because its birthrate is the highest. The parenthood compulsion is a Mormon ethic, equivalent almost to the Catholic mandate. (RM)

Reviews literature related to the possibility of increasing the effectiveness of contraceptives, particularly for the less-developed countries, and concludes that over the short and medium terms, the availability of induced abortion, be it surgical or chemical, is likely to be the most crucial component of any major effort to reduce birth rates"…

Although prepared for the occasion of a national seminar in Thailand, the substance of this paper applied in a wide context of countries now making plans to develop school programs in population education. After an introduction to the need for introducing population education in the school curriculum and the way this need is perceived by family…

Discusses why zero population growth in the United States will not be achieved by merely eliminating unwanted births or providing reliable contraception techniques. Suggests an explicit population policy to influence desired family size by decreasing institutional rewards for parenthood. (AL)

The major trend towards worldwide easing of the birthrate does not include the current population patterns in Africa. The population policies of African nations range along a continuum from totally pronatal to strongly antinatal. However, even antinatal policies have had little effect on the overall spiralling upward population trend. (JA)

The scope of population research as carried on by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) is set forth in this booklet. Population problems of the world, United States, and the individual are considered along with international population policies based on voluntary family planning programs. NICHD goals for biological…

Data for the period September 1976 through April 1977 indicate a rise in the United States birth rate; however, the rate is still below the replacement level. It is speculated that the increase is an "echo" effect to the post-World War II baby boom which peaked in 1957. (SL)

Factor analysis of questionnaire responses from 313 college students revealed that concern about overpopulation was a highly significant predictor of the number of children the respondents wanted. While the average number of children desired was 3.02, the majority of respondents accepted abortion and approximately one-third accepted sterilization…

Describes weaknesses of current incentives for lowering fertility and proposes a model with multiple incentives to individuals, groups, and entire communities. (AL)

This paper, published by The Population Council, reviews 29 proposals dealing with population controls beyond the current efforts of national programs of voluntary family planning. The proposals are subsumed under eight descriptive categories which are: (1) Extensions of voluntary fertility control; (2) Establishment of involuntary fertility…