Debating points
If you want to know about our views on anything, just contact the blog.
Abortion - We believe that abortion is what happens when family planning fails. We advocate full access to affordable, appropriate and available family planning and the promotion of more reliable methods such as long acting reversible contraception.
Ageing - Societies are ageing due to increasing longevity and a falling population will exacerbate that trend. We believe that the negative consequences of a ageing society are overstated, temporary and less serious than those of a constantly increasing population
Climate change - We believe that climate change is caused by human activity and should stand alongside other effects of overpopulation such as resource depletion and environmental degradation.
Coercion - We oppose all forms of coercion in family planning.
Diversion - We do not accept that concern over population size is a diversion from other components of overconsumption such as business practices, government priorities, inequality and lifestyles, but that it should be addressed alongside these other issues.
Ehrlich - Ehrlich’s predictions predated the “Green revolution”. In 2050, the world population will be 2.5 times that of his period, and we do not foresee a comparable leap forward in agricultural productivity.
Eugenics - We are only concerned with human numbers and completely reject any association with eugenics i.e. is the study and practice of selective breeding applied to humans, with the aim of improving the species.
Large families - It is less true that large families in poorer countries are needed to work farms or provide a secure old age. Urbanisation and land shortages mean that having many children can be a liability rather than an asset.
Malthus - Malthus’s predictions predated the industrial revolution. In 2050, the world population will be eight times that of his period, and we do not foresee a comparable technological leap forward.
Migration - We are only concerned with human numbers and do not address any consequences of differences between cultures.
Misanthropy - Wanting “fewer people, better lives” is about caring for both future generations and those currently living with hunger and poverty.
Population decline - We believe the risk of sharp population decline has been overstated and that the economic consequences are manageable and less serious than those of continued economic growth in a world of limited resources.
Religion - The attitude of religious authorities towards family planning differs widely between and within religions. Countries with highly observant populations have successfully reduced their birth rate, including Bangladesh, Indonesia, Iran, Italy and Spain.
Single children - Studies have shown that single children are not disadvantaged in later life.
Universality - Our “Stop at two” message for for everyone. We do not target specific groups such as rich or poor, black or white and believe we should all seek a sustainable future.
Women’s rights - Family planning provision strengthens women’s rights; it isn’t a distraction from them, though we also fully support the advancement of women to full rights and to take an equal place in society.
