Population reduction will happen, either by choice or force of scarcity of basic needs and overcrowding. Until that time I think it is important to set an example by having only one child if you must have any. But this obsucres the real issue, the consumption patterns of those of us, children or adults, already kicking around. We can be far more effective by downsizing our consumptive lifestyles and economy right now rather than hoping that people will see reason and voluntarily stop having children. We owe it to the children to leave them with a habitable planet full of the richness we ourselves have enjoyed. We can only do that consuming less of it.

Written in June

Overpopulation is not a problem. Over consumption is the problem. Population is just a multiplier. Over population becomes a problem if people consume more. If all the people on the planet consumed like the average westerner does, then we'd be overpopulated with 1billion people.

It is also important to understand that population is not a global issue, but a local one. Some areas are overpopulated and others are under populated. Many towns/cities just don't have the population to support services that can reduce consumption (eg. public transport).

We're a selfish lot, us humans, and thinking of our children and future generations is about the only thing that moderates our behaviour. Take those children away and many people would be less sustainable than they are now.

(I have 2 children)

Written in June

"Always blame the parents/government/video games/whatever.... If you really want to be spayed then take the initiative yourself!"

Thanks, Charles. Since you're such an expert on women's reproductiove health, will you front me the thousands of doallrs for the operation and the six months to one year of recovery time I would need to take in order to get such an operation at my age (38)?

Overpoulation is a global problem EVERYWHERE. It's not all about over consumerism. Look at all the species that have been wiped out and are going to be wiped out becuase of human overpopulation.

But thanks for replying. Now I know what I'm up against when writing my articles.

(Has no children)

Written in July

We have kids to teach us what we are capable of, and what we can be. We also have kids as a permanent connection with another human adult. And we have kids in an attempt to find some sort of immortality in this world.

I have two kids, and they have made me a better person (I think).

Perhaps the question you are trying to ask is, should we be limiting our numbers?

Written in July

"Hey Rena. I don't mean to cause you any pain, but if you're going to raise very contentious issues then expect to get a reaction from people that might have a differing opinion."

No worries, there Charles. Your comments will help my writing for the future, bringint up topics I might forget to address in the articles. But when I saw the advice to do it myself, I couldn't help but wonder "how in the heck am I suppossed to anethetise myself and do the surgery on myself?" ;-)

Unfortunately, where I live in America, no surgery is free. Hysterectomies of tube-tying are not currently covered in in part by health insurance unless there's prrof that cancer is involved. I had to take care of my Mom who had a total hysterectomy due to ovarian cancer and it was 6 months before she could walk up or down 2 flights of stairs per day and 9 months before she could even step out of the house on her own. The surgeons told me this was "normal". But, if she had it when a child, then the recovery time would be a lot quicker. (and I wouldn't be here researching aricles on human overpopulation control).

A complete hysterectomy remove chances for cancer, unlike tube-tying, which is why I mentioned.

Good point about the tube-tying, though. It's something I will look up to see if women in other countries can actually get it relavtively quickly...because I doubt anything so sendible as low-cost tube tying of chemical vascetomies would ever in the United States.

Thanks again, everyone. This helps me know where to go...for more research.

Written in July