This week’s reading and discussion are centered around demographic topics. In particular, there are three main themes, such as migration, fertility rates, and overpopulation. The first theme is viewed in terms of how migration from underdeveloped countries impacts developed ones. On the one hand, some researchers imply migration’s adverse effects on developed countries due to additional resource consumption and job positions occupation (Clemens & Sandefur, 2014). On the other hand, various positive economic impacts are evident, such as the increased labor supply and consequent return on capital investment (Clemens & Sandefur, 2014). Ultimately, the latter point of view is considered more impactful than the former.
The issue of migration is closely connected to the topic of fertility rates. For countries with low or stagnant rates, such as the U.S., migration becomes a valuable tool in replenishing the population numbers. Nevertheless, it does not influence the fertility rates themselves since they are primarily affected by societal and cultural factors (McFalls, 1991). For instance, the tendency common among women in developed countries to focus on their education and careers instead of a family has a negative outcome on the child-per-mother relationship (McFalls, 1991). Conversely, cultural and social expectations in underdeveloped countries make women give birth to an increasingly high number of children.
In the context of the previous two themes, the issue of overpopulation seems ambiguous and, sometimes, even exasperated. For example, Dyett and Thomas’s article “Overpopulation discourse: Patriarchy, racism, and the specter of ecofascism” illustrates the policies aimed at population number reduction having a racistic context. Meanwhile, China’s one-child policy brought the issue of gender disparity to the country (Feng et al., 2013). Finally, as an argument against environmental concerns, Stone presents evidence of the U.S.’s ability to sustain 25% of population growth (2018). Overall, these arguments debate the common fear of the world’s overpopulation, raising doubts regarding the danger of the current state.
Reference
Clemens, M., & Sandefur, J. (2014). Let the people go: The problem with strict migration limits. Foreign Aff., 93, 152.
Dyett, J., & Thomas, C. (2019). Overpopulation discourse: Patriarchy, racism, and the specter of ecofascism. Perspectives on Global Development and Technology, 18(1-2), 205-224.
Feng, W., Cai, Y., & Gu, B. (2013). Population, policy, and politics: How will history judge China’s one-child policy?. Population and development review, 38, 115-129.
McFalls Jr, J. A. (1991). Population: A Lively Introduction. Population Bulletin, 46(2).
Stone, L. (2018). Why you shouldn’t obsess about “overpopulation.” Vox. Web.