The Family-Planning Controversy

Abstract

Discussions about population growth and family planning have played an important role in recent years, not only in scientific journals but also in popular magazines and daily newspapers. In these articles population growth—and specifically the rapid growth now prevailing in the so-called developing countries—is often described as a dreadful menace to the future of mankind. To attain a reduced number of births is described as a measure which should be given top priority. Neo-Malthusianist arguments of this kind have been heard with great frequency during 1974, designated by the United Nations as World Population Year.

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