To think this situation in East Africa could be less serious than it is if there was more information about contraception.

[JazzieJeff]

Ive been thinking this over for some time, and I don't want to appear prejudiced, but I don't think I am being. Because after all, so many people say of people who are struggling to live on low wages/benefits in this country 'why are they continuing to have children?'. So really, my point is the same, but in East Africa, people are bringing children into a world where there is a bloody good chance they will starve or die a horrible death from dirty water.

I dont know whether it's a lack of education, or the spread of the Catholic faith in the developing world. However, I'm not sure if either of these validates people continuing to bring children into such a dire situation. I can honestly say that if I was in East Africa, and that was happening to me and I didn't have access to contraception that I would abstain. I really would. I could not bear to allow any child of mine to suffer. Secondly, if it really is the Catholic faith which prevents so many people from using contraception (as is the case in many developing countries), why isn't there more pressure from governments and charities on the Vatican to start putting money up to start paying for all these children? It's not like they're short of cash; how about using some of those funds they use to put gold leaf on the walls to start putting food in children's mouths. Children, that ultimately, they are responsible for. Because this is getting ridiculous. This has happened twice (that I know of in this country) in my lifetime. Either way, AIBU to think that there needs to be a better solution to birth control in these places, be it contraception or abstinence?

ah sorry, I get what you're saying now.

One poster says contraception is ridiculously expensive, the OP answers that aid should come in the form of contraception. Fail to see what is nazi-like about that view.
Is it also nazi like to promote the take up of contraception in the UK?

because if it is take it up with the Nazi Health Service.

I am not suggesting the OP was well thought through, and I accept (as many people seem to be suggesting) that the answers are not as simple as she believes. My issue is with the tone on the thread and the amount of bullying and intellectual one-upmanship going on at the expense of the OP. Absolutely fucking vile.

No. But then I haven't compared the OP or anyone else to a Nazi. One poster interpreted the views of the OP to be close to saying that women in this situation should be forcibly sterilised (which the OP didn't say) and comparing that to the Nazi Eugenics policy.

It was a very long thread though and that was one post that wasn't taken up by anyone else at any point.

Leaving this one post aside, I don't think the OP has been "bullied" on this thread. The haven't had an easy ride but I don't think they have been bullied.

Hear hear spb. There's shameful one-upmanship, passive agressive shrugging and out and out offensive bile being spouted on this thread. And, as always, people are desperate to showcase their intellectual superiority. Pathetic.

she has been told to keep her ill informed opinions to herself
"don't let the poor breed - FFS"
the fact she said SHE would make a different choice (abstinence) was picked apart over and over and misinterpreted to say that's what she was recommending somehow

and that was just a quick glance

I believe, though I can't be bothered to look that she was asked if she had ever been anywhere other than Benidorm, and when she came back with a place (which I can't remember, I am ignorant, no denying it!) she was accused of playing some game

It's bullying IMO. If it's not yours, fine. I just don't get this thread or people who think it's OK to behave like this.

Thanks spb and bibbity

I have to say I was pretty shocked to be compared to a Nazi...

I am grateful to those who pointed me in the right direction and posted links etc. I am ignorant of many of the issues; hence why I posted on MN.

Have to say that I've seen a thread in a very similar vane to this one, except it's about having more babies when you can't afford to have them etc. I was pleased to see that the conversation on there was informative, mature and helpful.

Out of interest....... This is from another forum

I know it's Ethiopia before someone feels the need to point this out - I'm just using it to demonstrate that the OP is not alone in her thinking even if she expresses it clumsily in her original post.

I agree with SPB and bibbity bobbity. There is often an over reaction to a thread on MN which is almost hysterical in it's tone whilst ''desperate to showcase their intellectual superiority''

Calm informative response from Himalaya but snide and dismissive bitching from a lot of others

Wow give OP a break you lot! I agree to a degree with what she has said but it took a century in this country before better sanitation and conditions resulted in smaller family sizes, providing contraception isn't going to solve the issue overnight.
That said, at least the OP is thinking about the issues which is more than a lot of people do!

Op in this case is like every other OP is an opinion, possibly not completely resolved in her own mind and therefore thought provoking.

An interesting article here - not on famine and population specificially, but on why the viewpoint that 'nothing has changed, or will change in Africa' is wrong