Let’s fix it

Human population growth is an issue of serious concern for many individuals, and perhaps also for
you. If we are to slow, stop, or reverse population growth, it will be necessary to either
increase the death rate​ ​or​ ​decrease the birth rate​.
On which end should we focus our efforts, the birth rate or the death rate?
We will spend Thursday’s class in a role-play to determine what should be done. You need to pick a
position to defend. The position you choose can be one that you strongly support or one that
you strongly oppose. Pick one that you think you can defend with a compelling argument. Be
brave! Try something risky!

Choose your position and sign up with me so that we have approximately equal
numbers on all sides. Be prepared for the debate on Thursday.

I strongly recommend spending a few minutes writing down the highlights of your argument.
Some research may help strengthen your opinion – it is difficult to argue against facts.

Here are some options:

Birth rate: Which methods should we consider? Which ones should not be an option?
◦ encourage personal choice to no have children or to adopt
◦ require adoption for all families who want more than one child
◦ make birth control, contraception, and/or abortion free (government sponsored)
◦ implement laws regarding the number of children a person can have which may include
stipulations for forced abortion
◦ limit personal freedoms unless women conform to contraceptive measures i.e Norplant
implants
◦ How else can we do it?

Death rate: How will we choose who has to die?

◦ introduction of disease or harmful chemicals
◦ increase war efforts
◦ denial of health care to individuals over 55
◦ genocide of target areas
◦ increase health care costs
◦ reduce medical research
◦ encourage suicide
◦ limit food production
◦ What other options can you think of?

If neither is desirable, is there another way to effectively reduce the population without actually
changing the numbers?

(​Final assessment, in-class writing. Students may have as much time as they need, within
reason. I wonder why I want to do this. Are tests poor ways to asses student understanding?
It has the flavor of a test, but I think it gets at more than a typical test might. I really like the
questions and I think they ask students to make new connections with the knowledge and
experience they have gained.)

Choose two of the following boxes and respond accordingly.

Use the back of this paper. Attach an additional sheet if necessary.