Development of Sexual Behavior

Stages of Development: Adulthood

Reproductive Behavior 2

On the international level, human reproductive behavior is increasingly causing concern. Beginning with Thomas Malthus about two centuries ago, demographers have been worrying about “overpopulation” and have seen rising birth rates as a problem to be managed. Although Malthus’ most dire predictions have not come true, many of his fears are still with us. A detailed discussion of the issues involved lies beyond the scope of this course, but at least one of them should be mentioned here:
It seems certain that, in the future, those countries that can least afford it, will continue to have the highest birth rates. In other words, world-wide, poor couples will have many more children than rich couples. Putting it still another way: High income countries, where children have a better chance to develop their potential, have and will have much lower birth rates than low income countries, where a good education and good jobs are already scarce and are likely to become scarcer. The reasons behind these trends are not difficult to find: Women in developed countries enjoy greater sexual equality, have easy acces to contraception, and thus can avoid pregnancies while pursuing careers of their own. Conversely, women in developing countries are often uneducated, restricted to their roles as housewives and mothers, and have difficulty obtaining contraceptives.
Apart from the obvious economic and environmental problems resulting from this unequal population growth, there is the question of how far countries can and should go in their attempts to control their populations. Even more difficult is another question that may be asked in the future: How far can and should rich countries go in trying to control the populations of poor countries?

Average annual population growth rates 1980-2015

Low income       Middle income     High income   1980 - 1998   1998 - 2015

The chart shows - in percent - the growth of populations in three groups of countries: Low income, middle income, and high income. The growth rates are declining in all three groups. However, the absolute numbers are expected to increase in the foreseeable future, because they start from a larger population base. The growth rates tend to be higher in low- and middle-income countries than in high-income countries.
Source: World Bank