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The Talk of the Town article ‘Population trends: lessons for RP by Fr. Gregory D. Gaston, SThD last January 2 is worth reflecting.
Depopulation will greatly affect all aspects of our nation’s growth – economically, on security, on health, on education, on tourism, on technology, and socially.
Economics. Businesses will have problem on labor. Machine can never substitute the complexity of a human potential. Family business which has proven to be the most cost-effective and most efficient type will fail to expand. Old company means stability. Reduced competitiveness will reduce people, products, and market growth.
Security. As they say, the more people working to protect you, the more you are secured. War is fought and won by the number of soldiers willing to die for a good cause.
Health. A lot of people die of heart disease which is associated with stress. Stressed people need to relax. A great way to feel calm is when you love and feel loved. The more people you love, the more you are loved in return. We need to bear in mind that mental illness, being the most devastating of all diseases, is social isolation.
Education. Education is wealth. Less educated people, less wealth brings. Education also makes one independent and self-reliant. Who would not want a lot of educated children? Education should be the priority of our government - educate parents to make sure they can educate their children.
Tourism and Culture. Who would go to a place with no people or few sign of civilization? Is not the place flocked with people the place we want to go because it is full of opportunities and lots of human interaction that motivates us to use our talents and resources?
Science and Technology. Innovation means growth. The more people who are highly intelligent and creative people, the more progress there is. What kind of world do we have if we do not have Edison, Wright brothers, Einstein, if we have not allowed them to be born into the world? Who knows, that one contracepted child is our nations’ Einstein? What a pity if we wouldn’t allow him to breath.
Social. The more a person reached his peak of success and greatness, the more he seeks his legacy. Happiness is contagious, prosperity expands. We cannot help but share and give joy to others – the more the happier. Depopulation limits generosity.
We should not control human population. Let’s make it all simple and natural.
Maria Charina Rodriguez
