Abstract The paper argues that the rights of the individual are most likely to deteriorate in societies that are plagued by excessively high birthrates and by high population density. The paper explains the utilitarian reasoning behind this principle as well as the simple fact that something of which there is a lot is going to be of lesser per capita value than something of which there is very little. The paper shows how over-population logically brings about a diminution in individual rights.
From the Paper "It is sometimes asserted that the rights of the "common" - the community or the collective - will eventually impinge upon the right of the individual as the population in already-overcrowded nations and globally continues to spiral upward. This sort of statement can be interpreted in many ways and undoubtedly will be interpreted in many ways by people coming from different socio-economic and socio-political backgrounds. Be that as it may, this writer chooses to interpret the initial sentence in this paragraph as follows: as populations grow more massive, the competition for finite resources among individuals becomes more intense."
Abstract This paper explains that, as in other countries, due to increased birthrates in the mid twentieth century, combined with relatively low birthrates in modern society, Canada is experiencing population aging. The author points out that this demographic shift creates a situation in which potential problems regarding economic stability are created and in which the workforce does not have enough manpower to support the aged population. The paper suggests that increasing immigration rates and implementing social programs may assist in helping balance this situation.
From the Paper "This Health Canada report proceeds to stress the complexity of aging population issue, as it concerns not only the well-being of today's older Canadians but also broader areas and sectors that affect the entire population, including health, labour markets and public finances. They stress the fact that all levels of government are needed to work together in establishing a defensive front to safeguard the economy. Health Canada provides a detailed list of the challenges that Canadian society will face in recent years and how to properly adapt to work with these changes."
Abstract This paper examines the idea of teenage sexuality, asking whether it is necessarily a bad thing for teenagers to engage in sex or if in some circumstances it is a good thing. It looks at how when the talk of the problems of teenage sexuality come up today in the mass media and in the world of popular culture, the problematic aspects of it are considered to be teen pregnancy and the transmission of STDS among teenagers. It shows that while there is certainly talk of the importance of abstinence, it has become an accepted part of American culture that teenagers will have sex. It also explores why and how such a dramatic shift in cultural attitudes about teenage sexuality has come about. It looks at such issues as why we now warn teenagers about AIDS but still cannot talk to them about the morals of sex.
From the Paper "Sex is attractive to teenagers for the obvious reason--it is a pleasurable and often emotionally satisfying activity--and it is worth postponing for many teenagers until after marriage only if marriage seems likely to be a firm possibility, and at a relatively young age. When marriage becomes less important, the idea of premarital sex as both something that is wrong and as a category entirely separate from simply "sex" becomes hard to maintain. Studies of historical patterns of teenage birthrates suggest that from the first generation of women to achieve some measure of financial independence, sex without the burdens of marriage becomes attractive (Odem, 1995, p. 51)."
Abstract This paper explains that an increase in life expectancy and a drop in the fertility rate are imploding in most developed countries, creating lopsided societies with a large number of elderly and not enough young people working to support them. The author points out that this population implosion is affecting every program that requires public funds, such as health care, education, pensions, and military spending. The paper reports that, according to experts, the solution is immigration; however, increased immigration and higher birthrates among predominantly Muslim immigrant populations could result in additional ethnic tensions, as this issue bleeds into international relations.
From the Paper "Due to prosperity and freedom, millions of women are staying in school longer, putting more emphasis on work and marrying later, resulting in a rapid birth rate decline in many countries. In Italy, women produce on average fewer than 1.2 children, the lowest figure every recorded among humans. It is projected that Italy will lose nearly a quarter of it s current population by 2050. When the Berlin Wall disappeared, it created economic uncertainties in that have frozen the birth rate from the Black Forest to Vladivostok."
Abstract This paper explains that the Irish constitutions restricted the prescribed roles of women to the house, but this is not very different than the rest of the world at this time. The author points out that, in both of the Irish states, the churches, both Catholic and Protestant, were closely connected to the state; both churches interpreted the role of the woman to be only within the house; however, over the years, this strong relationship of church and state has diminished and women's roles have changed. The paper relates that today, increased internationalization of the Irish culture has produced a startling openness and liberalism compared with three decades ago; the idea of male dominance and confining women to their homes has been replaced by access to contraception and open opportunities in education and employment.
From the Paper "At one point, Ireland had the highest birthrates in Europe due to the low social and economic lives of the women. With time, the social and economic lives of the women improved and now the birthrate has been reduced to about half of what it was nearly four decades ago. Back then, women were not allowed to use contraceptives and thus due to high birthrates many faced deaths and other medical conditions. It was until 1979 that contraceptives were forbidden in Ireland and divorce was declared to be unconstitutional. This was due to the close association of the Church to the State. Today one can find numerous family planning clinics operating throughout the country and after extensive debate, divorce has been declared to be legal and constitutional."
Abstract The paper reveals that more and more Americans are giving birth, despite the prevalence of birth control. The paper looks at the factors that could change this dynamic, including Hispanics' lack of access to healthcare. The paper then discusses the new drugs on the market that combat the effects of menopause and allow a woman to bear children at a far older age than previously. The paper also considers how the American psyche is changing in that women no longer find it necessary to have a husband in order to begin planning a family.
From the Paper "Family planning is becoming a more popular trend in the United States because of a variety of factors in society. First of all, birth control is more prevalent than it has ever been before, which is allowing for couples to have better control over when they conceive children. Also, an improved healthcare system is allowing for more and more babies to survive when they finally are born. Between 2002 and 2004, "the U.S. birth rate jumped 2 percent... to more than 4.1 million births -- the highest number since 1962 (except for a brief spike in 1990)" (BabyCenter editorial staff, 2005). This means that more and more Americans are giving birth, despite the prevalence of birth control."
