Population Control – Definition, Methods & Advantages

Population Control: The term “Population” refers to a group of all living organisms of a specific species in a specified geographical area, at a specific period, with the potential to interbreed. The control method of the population is the system or practice used to control and maintain the kind, location, and quantity of people on the globe.

Population control is the main advantage of maintaining a sustainable and healthy life. Overpopulation gives rise to many social issues like poverty, unemployment, etc. There are various methods to control the population to help us with sustainable development. With the increase in population every year, the consumption of resources is also at its peak. That’s why Population control is essential. In this article, we talk about population control and explain the processes of controlling the human population.

What is Population?

A population is a group or a total number of individuals of the same species occupying a particular geographic area at a particular given time.

Why Do We Need to Control Population?

Overpopulation is the main cause of many of the problems on the planet earth. The population has rapidly increased due to overproduction of food sources, unawareness of sex education, etc. No proper control methods for the population have been educated and the effects of it are widely visible. The aim is a development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs can be achieved with population control.

Negative Effects of Population Bloom

1. The depletion of natural resources like forests, agricultural lands, etc.
2. The competition for basic needs increases and leads to conflicts and wars.
3. Unemployment will rise due to the increase in the birth rate.
4. The cost of living will automatically increase due to the increase in population.
5. Many plants and animals tend toward the verge of extinction.

We should explain the process to control the human population to avoid conflicts we face for food, water, education, transportation, etc. Poor countries or developing countries face poverty and poor health because of overpopulation. The depletion of many natural resources due to pollution occurs due to overpopulation; hence, we need to find population control methods by following a few family planning rules, etc.

What is Population Control?

Population control is the method or the practice used to limit the growth in numbers of a population. Especially in poor or densely populated areas of the world, by programmes of contraception or sterilisation.

Fig: Population Control

Population Control Methods

In this section, we describe the methods to control the human population.

1. Education: Education plays a vital role in controlling the population. Educating people with the proper sex education, effects of overpopulation and sustainability of life on earth can control the population.

2. Age of Marriage: Child marriages and early marriage before a female attains a certain age should be strictly prohibited.

3. Contraceptive Methods: The deliberate use of artificial methods or other techniques to prevent pregnancy due to sexual intercourse is called contraception. Birth control, also known as contraception, can control population growth. There are two contraceptive methods: temporary methods and permanent methods.

(a) Temporary Methods: Family planning or using different temporary methods such as condoms, cervical caps, etc., are often used to postpone or prevent unwanted pregnancy.

1. Natural Method: Natural methods are the methods that are followed to avoid meeting sperm and ovum.
2. Rhythm Method: Periodic absence method is a temporary avoidance of sex. The couples avoid coitus (copulation or intercourse) from day 10 to 17 of the menstrual cycle because ovulation can occur during this particular period. The possibility of fertilisation is very high during this period. Therefore, it is called the fertile period.
3. Coitus Interruptus (withdrawal method): Male withdraws his penis from the vagina just before ejaculation to avoid insemination.
4. Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM) (absence of menstruation): There is no menstrual cycle, and therefore, ovulation does not occur during intense lactation.
5. Mechanical/Barrier Methods: Barrier methods can be used to prevent fertilisation. There are a few barrier methods used as mentioned below:

(a) Condoms: Condoms are made up of thin rubber/latex sheath used to cover the penis in the male or vagina and cervix in the female just before coitus (intercourse) so that the ejaculated semen is not released in the female reproductive tract.

Condoms also protect the user from STDs and AIDS. Both male and female condoms are disposable. Female condoms are known as femidoms.

Fig: Condoms

(b) Diaphragms, Cervical Caps and Vaults: The cervical caps, vaults and diaphragms are also made of rubber, and inserted into the female reproductive tract to cover the cervix before coitus. Spermicidal jellies, creams and foams are generally used along these barriers to increase their efficiency.

Fig: Diaphragm and Cervical Cap

1. Diaphragm: It is a soft rubber cup placed inside the vagina. It prevents sperm from reaching an egg. It gives protection against sexually transmitted diseases and cervical cancer.
2. Cervical Cap: It is a miniature diaphragm that closely covers the cervix.
3. Vault Cap: Vault cap is a hemispheric dome-like rubber or plastic cap with a thick rim that is meant for fitting over the vaginal vault over the cervix.

(c) Intra-Uterine Contraceptive Devices (IUCD) like Copper-T and loops fitted in the uterus help to prevent fertilisation. They can cause side effects due to irritation of the uterus.

Fig: Copper-T

6. Chemical Methods

1. Spermicides: Jellies, creams and foam tablets are inserted into the vagina before intercourse to prevent sperms from entering the uterus. These contain spermicides (kill spermatozoa) such as zinc sulphate, boric acid, and potassium permanganate. Spermicides can not prevent STDs, and it is better to use these with physical barrier methods.
2. Oral Pills: Oral contraceptive pills inhibit the secretion of FSH and LH from the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland and thus inhibit ovulation from the ovary.

Fig: Oral Pills

(b) Permanent Methods: The permanent methods are the effective methodology to control the population.

1. Sterilisation: It is the surgical method to block the gamete transport, thereby preventing conception. Tubectomy involves cutting of fallopian tubes in females, and Vasectomy involves cutting of vas deferens on each side in males.

Advantages of Population Control

1. Population control reduces the number of births.
2. This will be the major reason to control or reduce pollution, global warming, deforestation, etc.
3. It helps in enhancing the lives of humans with a healthy quality of food, water and shelter.
4. Population controls can have a major advantage of proper treatment for children.
5. It helps in having more job opportunities for women.
6. It also helps in protecting natural habitats.

Summary

Population control is very important for current and future generations to maintain a balanced and healthy life. It can mainly bring into light by controlling the birth rates. Birth rates are controlled by educating women about sex education, family planning, age of marriage, and the various contraceptive methods such as usage of condoms, oral pills, copper-T, etc.

The permanent method of contraception is the surgical method which can effectively reduce the chances of getting pregnant. Population control has many advantages like control of pollution, reduction of global warming, increased job opportunities, increased quality of life, low poverty line, etc. The first country to launch a national programme for family planning was in the year 1952 in India.

FAQs

Q.1. What are the effects of overpopulation?
Ans: The effects of overpopulation result in scarcity of food, housing, water, transportation, etc. Overpopulation is the main reason for deforestation and environmental pollution.

Q.2. How does population control reduce poverty?
Ans: Population control can be controlled by adopting various methods like family planning which results in a reduction of population growth. The reduction in population growth results in reducing poverty, ensuring equal service to all the people, affordable health benefits and sustainability on earth.

Q.3. Why is population control important?
Ans: Population control is very important to ensure the sustainability of the planet earth, reduction of pollution, reduction in global warming and poverty, etc.

Q.4. What is the best way to control the population?
Ans: The best way to control the population is family planning, educating the people about sex, using oral pills, using safety barriers, one-child legislation, etc.

Q.5. Is there any population control law in India?
Ans: Ans: Uttar Pradesh and Assam have proposed to introduce legislation that will compel couples to restrict the number of children they produce to two. These states intend to bar those with more than two children from contesting local body elections, applying for government jobs and accessing various subsidies.

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