Video Guide Questions NOVA: World in Balance “The People Paradox”

1. What will be the worldwide trend for population growth of industrialized countries of the world in the future? The world population of 7.2 billion in mid-2013 is projected to increase by almost one billion people within the next twelve years. It is projected to reach 8.1 billion in 2025, and to further increase to 9.6 billion in 2050 and 10.9 billion by 2100. This assumes a decline of fertility for countries where large families are still prevalent as well as a slight increase of fertility in several countries with fewer than two children per woman on average.
2. What will be the future population growth trends for developing countries in the future? Almost all of the additional 3.7 billion people from now to 2100 will enlarge the population of developing countries, which is projected to rise from 5.9 billion in 2013 to 8.2 billion in 2050 and to 9.6 billion in 2100. Much of the overall increase between 2013 and 2050 is projected to take place in high-fertility countries, mainly in Africa, as well as countries with large populations such as India, Indonesia, Pakistan, the Philippines and the United States of America.
3. What are some of the societal/cultural reasons why Indian families often desire multiple male offspring? How do you think this influences population growth rate trends in India? Naturally society prefers the male child, as he is the ‘superior’ child. Economics plays a large part here. The son is expected to earn and ‘pay back’ by looking after the parents in old age. Usually he does. And in many parts of India the male child grows up and commands a large dowry. This influences population growth rate trends in India by having a greater male to female ratio.

4. Describe India’s age structure
The age structure in India is 0 to 14 years 31.7% (male 173,869,856; female 164,003,915) 15 to 64 years 63.5% (male 349,785,804; female 326,289,402) 65 years and over 4.8% (male 25,885,725; female 25,235,905)
5. How had the cultural practice of dowry endowment affected women’s rights and health in India? In certain communities in South Asia, the low status of girls has to be compensated for by the payment of a dowry by the parents of the girl to the husband at the time of marriage. This has resulted in a number of dowry crimes, including mental and physical torture, starvation, rape, and even the burning alive of women by their husbands and/or in-laws in cases where dowry payments are not met.
6. How have educational and vocational programs for Indian women influenced birth rate and infant mortality? How have India’s population growth trends influenced access water and food production? Several scholars have linked birthrate decline to female education. Educated women, they reason, generally prefer smaller families, allowing them to pursue their own interests while investing more resources and time in each child. As it turns out, the map of female literacy in India does exhibit striking similarities with the map of fertility.
7. Why is the “2 child rule” so important in terms of global population and its impacts? Using a 2-child rule, we will eventually, yet very slowly, reduce the population. By reducing the population we will have more access to benefits for the entire population.
8. Describe some of the population growth characteristics of Japan There is a very low infant mortality rate, 2.8 in a thousand, and a relatively low birth rate as well, at 7.41 births in a thousand.
However, the death rate, 9.83 deaths in a thousand, is higher than the birth rate, which means 2 more people are dying in a thousand than being born. Thousands of children are being born on a daily basis. 2.8 in a thousand and a relatively low birth rate as well, at 7.41 births in a thousand. However, the death rate, 9.83 deaths in a thousand, is higher than the birth rate, which means 2 more people are dying in a thousand than being born.
9. What is a “parasite single”? Parasite single is a single person who lives with their parents beyond their late twenties in order to enjoy a carefree and comfortable life. In Japanese culture, the term is especially used when negatively describing young unmarried women.
10. How do you think the increase of education and employment opportunities for women have influenced reproductive patterns in Japan? The increase of education and employment opportunities for women has declined reproductive patterns in Japan. There is very low infant mortality rate, which may have occurred as a result of the increase and education and employment opportunities in Japan.
11. How has the relative proportion of older Japanese changed over the last 20 years? What implications might that have for elderly people in Japan?
12. Describe the immigration and employment trends for the U.S. and Japan.
13. Describe the birth rate of sub- Saharan Africa, and some of its implications.
14. Describe how death rates and life expectancy has changed in Kenya over the last decade in particular.
15. How does the use of birth control compare in the developed vs. developing countries? How would this affect HIV transmission?
16. What is the concept of demographic transition?
17. Given that we live in a an affluent country, do you think we have an ethical responsibility to help fund programs that will stabilize population growth in developing countries, and encourage sustainability of species and resources globally? Why or why not?