Correct me if I'm wrong.

[E55BOF]

There's nothing new in the concept of LGBTQi++ (or whatever it's called these days), but rights are a modern issue; people who would identify as part of that group have always been there, I suspect, and some societies have been more bothered by it than others.

 

[markjay]

The UK funded family planning clinics in Africa which provided contraception but that programme was axed when the international development fund was reduced...

True, but I suspect that the aim was mainly to reduce poverty, and so not really related to concerns regarding the growth rate of the world's population.

 

[190]

Perhaps my comment about LGBT was a little flippant. It wasn't meant as a serious proposal. The important underlying theme was that mankind seems to have an inbuilt inclination to naturally resolve the population problem as people develop both economically and culturally. There is nothing to worry about provided Africa and other poor nations do develop economically and culturally. In 100 years time the discussion is more likely to be how to resolve the worlds shrinking population problem.

 

[ALFAitalia]

I need to be careful what I say here to not sound like something I'm not...but....I was only watching a program about some destitute African nation a while back.....weather had damaged crops, water was a long walk etc.....and it had been like this for years due to corruption and draughts. Then they got onto this seemingly intelligent lady saying that at times she had found it almost impossible to feed her EIGHT children!!!! Clearly a problem caused by her and her partner....Why bring 8 kids into a world where they can barely feed themselves???........just had to turn over the channel!!

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

she had found it almost impossible to feed her EIGHT children!!!! Clearly a problem caused by her and her partner....Why bring 8 kids into a world where they can barely feed themselves???

High infant mortality rate?

 

[markjay]

High infant mortality rate?

That, plus in developing countries children traditionally worked in the fields (or did other paid jobs) and supported the family, and so a family that did not have enough children risked serious hardship.

But in modern times, the old tradition of having as many children as possible is backfiring, and creates a cycle of poverty.

With that many children the parents can't really work, and the children work from early age instead of learning skills that will help them later in life.

 

[StMarks]

With that many children the parents can't really work, and the children work from early age instead of learning skills that will help them later in life.

Social developmental Catch 22.
Seems that therein lays the crux of my previous "quality -vs- quantity" assertion.?

 

[markjay]

Social developmental Catch 22.
Seems that therein lays the crux of my previous "quality -vs- quantity" assertion.?

Yes. The Westerm parenting formula for achieving a higher standard of living is (largely) firstly find a job, then have less children and send them to school so that they get an education and learn skills that will allow them to better themselves in adulthood.

 

[poormansporsche]

Back on topic.....

A tale of 2 Lycra's .......

Today I did a 275 mile round in the van around the Kent and Sussex countryside.

First incident. In a fast 50mph b road, was about 20 cars down in a queue fronted by a couple of horse boxes trying to get round a bunch of cyclists. Went on for a mile or 2 then at the first pull in place the cyclists pulled over to let the queue pass. Most of the cars gave a cheery toot and I gave a wave and the cyclists waved back. It was all very civilised.

Second incident. Had the van completely legally parked but quite near a junction in a side turning and a cyclist sped into the road on the wrong side of the road, nearly hitting my van and called me a .unt and attempted unsuccessfully to kick the van. Sped off again pretty sharpish when I came for him, all mouth and no trousers.
So "correct me if I'm wrong" (see what I did there ) that give ways work both ways ????

 

[Tonye]

nearly hitting my van

You should have been quicker and opened yer door. Must try harder

 

[poormansporsche]

You should have been quicker and opened yer door. Must try harder

Unfortunately I was the other side of the van but I did have my large metal grab pole in my hands hence him speeding off. A shame as it would have slotted in nicely in his spokes

 

[Bellow]

Yes. The Westerm parenting formula for achieving a higher standard of living is (largely) firstly find a job, then have less children and send them to school so that they get an education and learn skills that will allow them to better themselves in adulthood.

And, resist obliging them to provide for their parents in their ill-health and old age by providing wrap around state social services. That said, even here the effects of 'On your bike' are being seen with patients unable to be discharged from hospital due to the lack of any care provision at home. Care that offspring would have provided in earlier times here and is obligatory in the developing world.

 

[markjay]

And, resist obliging them to provide for their parents in their ill-health and old age by providing wrap around state social services. That said, even here the effects of 'On your bike' are being seen with patients unable to be discharged from hospital due to the lack of any care provision at home. Care that offspring would have provided in earlier times here and is obligatory in the developing world.

Which they still do in Japan to this day - families take care of their elderly. No nean feat, BTW, given Japan's ageing population.

 

[Bellow]

Which they still do in Japan to this day - families take care of their elderly. No nean feat, BTW, given Japan's ageing population.

And from a low birth rate too - unless I'm mistaken.
Child mortality rates in the developing world make the Japanese model unworkable. There has to be sufficient for some to survive to care for parents. What will happen to the parents when their offspring are lured to the developing world to care for its elderly?

 

[markjay]

 

[190]

It's only a couple of generations since looking after parents was common place in the UK. As a child, I lived in the same family house as my paternal grandparents until they both died. I suppose in hindsight it was a little crowded but that never occurred to me at the time. In fact for the grandchildren it had real positives and left me with some fond memories.

For it to work today would require a degree of humility and respect on both sides that now rarely exists. I think one factor that made it work back then was that both generations had been through the war.

 

[markjay]

The concept of the Welfare State is a welcomed one, however we should be careful not to allow it to morph into a Nanny State that relieves individuals of all personal responsibilities for themselves and their families.

 

[JHS]

The concept of the Welfare State is a welcomed one, however we should be careful not to allow it to morph into a Nanny State that relieves individuals of all personal responsibilities for themselves and their families.

Too late.
How many times do you hear"The government should/must ..............."