If each country had a two child policy

[Blackcat21]

Just an idea and my opinion, and fully aware I will probably get flamed for this.

The population is rising, not shrinking, and with that is coming ridiculous house prices, global warming, running low on natural resources and foods.

Health services are stretched and school classes are increasingly full.

Wouldn’t an solution to this be only letting per couple or mother/father have two biological children each.

I must admit, it does annoy me when some women go on to have 3rd, 4th child etc just because “they want to” or want a large family, love being with children or love being a mother.

Motherhood is a beautiful thing but it could be restricted to two biological children only.

Overpopulation is impacting the earth too much.

If this couple wanted more children they can adopt.
There are thousands of children in the U.K. and other countries each year wanting to be adopted.

Doing this could possibly tackle overpopulation but increase the adoption of children.

Obviously I’m aware there is problems of how to monitor this, what if a woman gets pregnant against her will, accidental pregnancies etc but not that is the not the point or idea I’m trying to get across right now.

AIBU to think this could be a good approach?

Surely OP it would be better to have a rule that says:
If you are rich & intelligent you can have 2/3 kids, but if you are poor or stupid you can only have 1.

That way we get cleverer as time goes on, and have fewer stupid poor people.

The global population has risen 5 BILLION in 70 years

@brushandmop. Because of less deaths or more births?

@5zeds no idea. Its just a fact.

I agree reluctantly. There are simply too many of us for any family to have more than 2 kids. Unjustifiable whatever mothers of numerous kids may say. They know it really.

There are simply too many of us for any family to have more than 2 kids.

But lots of families don't have dc or just have 1, hence the falling birth rate!

The global population has risen 5 BILLION in 70 years

Any changes to life expectancy?

If needs to fall if we want to live our western lifestyle though.

As many have said education, contraception etc in developing countries will naturally lead to declining birth rates also has poorer countries become more prosperous birth rate declines as you don't need so many dc to work to provide.

For the UK & similar to other western countries

The number of centenarians living in the UK has increased 85% in the past 15 years (ONS, 2018f).

• By 2030, one in five people in the UK (21.8%) will be aged 65 or over, 6.8% will be aged 75+ and 3.2% will be aged 85+ (ONS, 2017b).

• The 85+ age group is the fastest growing and is set to double to 3.2 million by mid-2041 and treble by 2066 (5.1 million; 7% of the UK population) (ONS, 2018k).
1.2 Life Expectancy

We do not have a problem with too many babies

If needs to fall if we want to live our western lifestyle though.

It has fallen though, you can just google.

The issue is how do you live a western lifestyle without young workers?

Population growth globally driven by people living longer rather than having more babies. If you wanted to cut population then restricted access to healthcare would be more effective.

The most effective way to reduce birth rate is to educate girls and women, well educated women have fewer children on average.

@terribleg of course it is down to life expectancy in some countries however if you look at Africa where life expectancy is still low compared to countries like the UK.

1950
177 million

2021
1.216 billion

Babies born today will live longer and so this population increase will continue unless there is a a societal change to having children.

Denying healthcare to people over 80 would likely solve the problem better. But still v immoral of course and not something I'd support. It is a catch 22 situation - too many people but not enough young people...

What happens if a couple is divorced and they have 2 kids.... is the man allowed to carry on pro creating with other women and the woman isn't allowed to do the same?

This thread is bonkers. In a western liberal democracy you cannot tell someone how many children to have. Overpopulation is caused by humans living too long. Would you opt for your granny to be ‘ put down ‘ at 75 or 80? . Also, many other countries are actively encouraging people to have children . In Poland you get paid by the state to have children now . Human beings are just a bit selfish there would be people doing exactly what they wanted.

Doesn't look like it's working out that well as an incentive

It does when you understand that the UK birth rate is already below 2.

Surely people realise that not everyone has to have less than 2 children, when you take into account the large numbers of people who have none at all?

Setting aside all the caveats.. Rape etc and all the problems I do think it's an interesting idea. Obviously it could never be implemented but I am interested in what would happen?
I'm thinking more in terms of attention for each child, more money, time and resources..

Sorry posted to soon - those saying its because of life expectancy aren't grasping that all the babies born today will live longer than us.

Babies born today will live longer and so this population increase will continue unless there is a a societal change to having children.

Yes but there are less babies being born. That's the point! In the UK the birth rate isn't even 2, what are people not getting!!!

Actually in the UK life expectancy has likely peaked & may even reduce slightly...

@Backtoschool101

What happens if a couple is divorced and they have 2 kids.... is the man allowed to carry on pro creating with other women and the woman isn't allowed to do the same?

I’d imagine any such rules or removal of state financial assistance as is being discussed would apply to both sexes in order to be fair.

@brushandmop

Sorry posted to soon - those saying its because of life expectancy aren't grasping that all the babies born today will live longer than us.

Yes absolutely but in the meanwhile we still need young people to pay taxes for the oldies etc. It's not that straightforward. In France the government (last I checked anyway) supports bigger families - on the basis that we need young people to work/pay tax etc. Clearly they're assessment is different to that of the UK government (ironic then that I've got 4 children and chose to live in the UK)

*Their!
Sorry

From a logical & economic perspective if you want to tackle overpopulation you don't just look at reducing birth rates.

*You mustn’t of read my whole original post then.

I’ve said before I’m not interested in debating the “what, how and why” because that’s not the point I’m trying to make.

My point is population control and how it will benefit the earth, not if someone is having triplets. Common sense is nothing can be done about that so idk why people keep drumming on about it.

I wanted to see what other people’s opinions were on the idea, not be bombarded with hundreds of questions confused*

You want opinions but not questions... you are annoyed when some women go on to have more than two children... it’s all about you isn’t it.

My options are as pretty simple, I honestly hope you are no someone I ever encounter out with this forum. I have three children, much loved and longed for. We are conscious of the environment, we shop in ways to best reduce our carbon footprint. We are well educated and work in fields that aid society. DC 1 is currently training to be a teacher.

You only seem to see human reproduction as an indulgence that drains the earth. How sad.