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Gee! Anybody ever notice that the birthrates in the so-called "First World" are a just "a little" lower than those in the less advantaged parts of the world???

(Hmmmm...I just wonder if THAT might have "a little" to do with this, huh?!...I mean, you can't even afford to feed yourself and yet your "cultural tradition" tells you to procreate????!!!!....What's up with THAT?!....there's no hope, people!...The way I figure it, you gotta laugh at how the human race is, or you'd go crazy!!!)



That has a LOT to do with the affordability and availability of contraception (even if you can FIND rubbers/the pill/whatever for sale you won't be likely to buy it instead of food), religious/tribal views toward contraception (think "catholic"), lack of education, and the simple drives to a: have sex and b: have children. There's also the thought among these people that if you have several children, one might be lucky enough to survive the wars, famine, poverty, and disease that is common-place in their lives. Many children are also born in these places to victims of rape (by strangers, soldiers, and husbands) and/or child abuse. Many others are born simply from a need to find temporary comfort from a life of despair and a little joy in the arms of a lover.

I don't know about you, but I wouldn't want to try telling people that the poor aren't allowed to have sex & children. It'd be a bit like suggesting the same solution to the HIV crises. Telling them to "stop having so many kids" is a bit too simplistic and ignores the many surrounding factors.

Matt Electronic mods for TBA/SM!