When I think about population control, I first think of overcrowding but further thought leads me to consider resources and life quality. The size of a country’s population affects many aspects of life in that country, such as the amount and distribution of resources, labor force, and ability to care for the aging population. Populations are becoming older worldwide as mankind has become more conscious and active in population control. China, Thailand, and the United States have had very different approaches to population control. These approaches have presented benefits and challenges in each of their respective countries. The way each population has addressed change and will change is also interesting.
Throughout history, China has taken a hands-on approach. When the population needed to be increased, they banned the import of contraceptives and publicly used propaganda to condemn their use. When the population grew and resources became limited, laws restricting reproductive rights were put into effect, along with punishments, including mandatory abortions or sterilizations for anyone having more than the allowed number of children. Being from a country that takes pride in its Bill of Rights, I have always felt this was an oppressive policy, but I must admit it was somewhat effective in China. This policy, in addition to the population becoming more focused on personal success, has also led some to choose not to have children at all. Population growth has now slowed to the point that China now has an aging population and more males than females. China's one-child policy is coming to an end. The challenge of the future, even with change, becomes what to do when about one-fourth of the population leaves the labor force before replacement laborers are of age.
Thailand’s government while hands-on was less regulatory and more public relations influenced in their approach. I find this approach more acceptable. Using humor, constant information, and availability of contraception, something that was once taboo has become a common topic in public and resulted in the largest decrease in population growth. Allowing individuals and communities to take control of improving their lives, showed improvements in health and a decrease in infant mortality. Overall, it has been a successful and popular approach to population control that has yielded additional benefits to the country.
Birth rates in the US are low and the average age for women to have their first child has increased due to women seeking a career first. Birth control is a personal choice, but contraception is provided for free through some government programs, and information is readily available. Like Thailand, discussing birth control in public has led to greater public awareness, and like China, the goals of personal success have led some to choose to postpone child-bearing. The U.S has seen an increase in the aging population, however, even though the birth rates are low, the population is not likely to decrease due to present immigration policies. Population changes predicted for the US, based on current rates indicate that there will be no minority or majority. By 2065, eighty-eight percent of the US population will be immigrants or immigrant decedents (Gonzales, 2015).
Each of these three countries has controlled their populations and has seen a decrease in birth rates. China has unexpectedly found a potential imbalance in those leaving and entering the workforce. The United States also has a decrease in birth rates, but the imbalance has been offset by immigration. The current policy will change the makeup of the national population so that one ethnic group will no longer be in the majority. I think that is ok, as long as the Bill of Rights remains protected regardless of who makes up our population. If an aging population becomes more of a problem, as it is in China, the United States may need to consider setting a limiting percentage of people who are unable to eventually join the workforce, from immigrating here.
Controlling population growth is about more than just being concerned with a country’s birth rate. It requires considering the effects it will have on the makeup of a population. It also involves considering the availability and distribution of resources and the ability to maintain an active and productive workforce. I found the comparison and contrast of these three countries' approaches to population control interesting and it made me more aware of other considerations, particularly in terms of how I would vote when I’m old enough and when considering future policies in my own country.