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is a serious global concern. Just the other day Japan was considering putting dating services on TV ads (which are currently a no-no).
The problem isn't overpopulation. There's no such thing. There's over-consumption and over-waste, but not overpopulation.
Many highly industrial countries are experiencing drastic fertility declines because of, yes, education and work opportunities for women. This isn't a trait you can pass on to your children, it is a standard of living that people grow up in and expect to continue.
For example, in the U.S. we have the baby boom generation that is going to retire, but there is no comparable generation to completely replace them. So no wonder countries are all freaked out about low birth rates, who's going to pay into the tax system to provide funds for all these people who will need social services? The government needs to find a way to bear the brunt of the costs--how better to encourage childbirth, preferrably among native-born citizens? Why do you think George Bush is even considering amnesty among immigrants? It does double duty: helps business and helps keep taxes rolling in.
