Why the Government Should Control the Population

(a simple position paper on why the government should oversee and establish population

control)

Overpopulation is a condition where the number of human population increases and

exceeds the carrying capacity of Earth. This is caused by numerous factors such as reduced

mortality rate, underutilized contraception, and migration and urban concentration etc.

Each person has a rightful claim to a sufficient and proportionate amount of the Earth's

resources. With a population approaching 8 billion people, even if everyone maintained a

low material standard of living, the world would still be driven to its ecological breaking

point. When we define "overpopulation," we're making reference to a situation in which the

World's resources cannot be renewed each year to meet the demands of the world's

population. According to experts, this has been the case every year since 1970, with each

year increasingly becoming more destructive. Fatal effects of overpopulation would be

depletion of natural resources, degradation of environment, rise in unemployment, high

cost of living, outbreaks of pandemics and epidemics, malnutrition, starvation, and famine

etc. In terms of population per continent, Asia is by far the most populous continent in the

world, accounting for about 60 percent of the world's population. Therefore, I firmly

believe that the government should be the one to handle and control the population. When

the government controls the population, it is better known as human population planning,

where the government instills practices to intentionally control the growth rate of a certain

population.

The World Resources Institute predicts that by 2050, the world's population will

grow by 34% and the Earth's population will grow by 2.3 billion. Therefore, we must now
take measures and find ways to control population growth so that we may not experience

the fatal effects that overpopulation carries. Although controlling the population is said to

be unethical, as countries like China strictly implemented the one child policy before.

Although it has achieved statistical numbers, it has also increased the amount of forced

abortion. It has already been made clear that population growth must be stopped in order

for us to live freely and happily. It is the government who can successfully implement rules

that will help in controlling the population. The previous emphasis on family planning

alone as a means of curbing the rapid growth of population rise was insufficient. Population

control which can only be broadened by the help of the government to help in health care,

education, and the reduction of poverty. The population policy when done correctly and

implemented rightfully can create a better state of living for all of us. This will ensure the

sustainability of our planet, the protection of natural habitats and even a reduction in

global warming and pollution. Although some people do not agree with the practices

implemented when it comes to controlling the population, because methods such as birth

controls and abortion become a highly debatable topic. I believe that these are essential

healthcare’s, and a personal choice one must have. When there are barriers to easily

accessing birth controls and a safe abortion, it has resulted to a rise in maternal mortality

rate. Restricting these types of services will only lead to more harm in the health care

systems.

The government can help in controlling the population in ways where a lot of people

can agree on. One way is through promoting family planning and educating students about

sex education. This includes the access to birth controls and other contraceptives. It has

been proven to reduce population growth because countries like Iran in the 1990’s were
able to halve their population in a decade when they were able to successfully educate

people and gave free access to contraceptives. A thorough sex education leads to fewer and

healthier children; smaller families will require fewer resources which then also reduces

greenhouse gas emissions, leading to a healthier environment. A smaller family tends to

produce children with more human capital as they can easily be supported. When we

educate people about family planning, we must also make sure to incorporate these into

political and economic courses for the younger generations. The government must provide

families with incentives and financial aid for the adoption of these methods.

Only the government can strictly impose laws that will help in controlling the

growth in population. When the government takes actions and imposes laws such as

raising the age of marriage in women, we are able to avoid them from the exposure of early

childbearing. Women who are married early will lose their access to education and even

employment. They will also be less driven and motivated leading to less knowledge about

planning their own family. In countries like Sri Lanka where the mean age for marriage is

25, with no changes in fertility practices must be something we should adopt.

The government should be in control of the population because rapid population

growth puts a burden on political institutions and increases pressure in services. Higher

amount of population leads to a higher number of demands that need to be fulfilled.

Through this the government must take deliberate actions to help provide solutions when

it comes to population control. These will all help lead a population where it needs to be,

and where everyone’s needs are met.

In conclusion when asked if the population should be controlled by the government.

I therefore state that it is necessary, and that the government should be the one responsible
in controlling the population as long as it is implemented rightfully and properly. Global

population is gradually increasing with approximately 1.5 percent each year. If this

continues wars, pandemics, the fight for resources will take place. The government must

constantly promote population change. They promote it through different means and ways,

which has constantly been changing for a long time now. In our generation it is promoted

through education, encouragement of the use of different contraceptives, and

implementation of laws. The world needs a strict population control law so that we may be

able to limit the growth of population in the world. Laws that the government can

implement and fund for the betterment of the world and people residing in it. Therefore, I

believe that following and letting the government control the population as long as it is

done right must be fully supported by us civilians. The government must continue to

advocate and educate everyone on the results and danger of overpopulation.

References:

Books
 Desrochers, P., & Szurkmak, J. (2018). Population Bombed!: Exploding the Link

Between Overpopulation and Climate Change. GWPF Books.

Journals

Davis, A. C., Arnocky, S., & Stroink, M. (2019). The Problem of Overpopulation:

Proenvironmental Concerns and Behavior Predict Reproductive Attitudes.

Ecopsychology, 11(2), 92–100. https://doi.org/10.1089/eco.2018.0068

Websites

Attention Required! | Cloudflare. (2021). How Globalization Works: Pros and Cons of

Globalization. https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-globalization-works-pros-and-

cons-of-globalization

R. (2020b, June 19). Overpopulation: Causes, Effects and Solutions. Conserve Energy

Future. https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/causes-effects-solutions-of-

overpopulation.php#:%7E:text=Overpopulation%20is%20an%20undesirable

%20condition,by%20a%20number%20of%20factors.&text=

%E2%80%9COverpopulation%20occurs%20when%20a%20species,capacity%20of

%20its%20ecological%20niche

Carrington, D. (2017, November 30). World population to hit 11bn in 2100 – with 70%

chance of continuous rise. The Guardian.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/sep/18/world-population-new-study-

11bn-2100?fbclid=IwAR3caNC0tidBWh42hTDsLF0mebpDz1r3v6-erKB-

fEV1vp8mETAPfuPEGHI
The benefits of “population control.” (2009, October 3). The Economist.

https://www.economist.com/free-exchange/2009/09/29/the-benefits-of-population-control