Population Control and Sustainability : It's the Same Old Song But With A Different Meaning

This article examines the "population problem" and compares two different approaches to population policy: the economic approach and the environmental approach. The article begins by discussing the theories behind these two approaches. It then points out the short sightedness - particularly with regard to the needs and interests of women - of population programs undertaken in the past to achieve economic and environmental objectives. Not only did these programs often violate human rights, they also proved to be unsuccessful. The author of this article argues that in dealing with the "population problem," the most effective approach is to respects human rights and to create a social climate in which people choose to have fewer children.