Reducing Fertility RatesCoercion or Reward?

Laura DininniStutee Khandelwal

Global Population Growth

Fertility ratesTFR-Total Fertility Rate

Indicators associated with higher fertility

high rates of female illiteracylow female statusa high percentage of illegal marriages

under age 18modest level of contraceptive useand high rates of infant mortality

Population control policyIncentives

Positive Incentives • rewards or penalties, tangible or intangible,

to induce specific fertility behavior by altering parental choice

• Serve to enlarge option. Individual has a right to deny.

Negative Incentive/Disincentives• Withdrawal/suspension of the rewards or

penalties

Direct IncentivesCash payments-

to women for not having pregnancyto men for undergoing Voluntary Surgical ContraceptionEmployee Benefit Package

Non Cash-Priority to housingEducational placement of childrenTax advantages

Rewards to Community-Improved infrastructure

Indirect IncentivesIncreased Educational opportunities for womenIncreased labor force opportunitiesSocial pressure campaignsLowering infant and childhood mortalityDisadvantages:

must be supplemented by direct incentivesslower than direct

DisincentivesNegative Incentives

Withdrawal of maternity benefitsLimitation of services providedDebarred from contesting local elections

Effectiveness

Never used alone.Not much success in India.

Lack of fundingLack of government support

Success in China and Indonesia where disincentives and coercion as wellThe focus on much broader issues- education (Kerela), good leadership (Indonesia), socio-economic development (Japan), decline in mortality (China) etc.

CoerciondefinitionIncentive and disincentive programs raise ethical and practical questions

Is it ethicalWill it work

Incentives disincentives reward and coercionAre incentives inherently coerciveCritical factors such as socioeconomic statusGenderType of incentiveMeans by which they are enforcedCan turn incentives into compulsory measures

Generally, pop pol is most effective when public opinion supports the policy goalsSingapore

Balance between rights of people and national goals for population stabilizationCollective vs individual rights“Governments are justified in employing measures that seek to curb population growth and in directing their residents to comply with such objectives”

Gender inequalityImplications in coercive population policyCompromises necessary to attain such population goals are often borne by women who must modify their reproductive behavior or have it modified for themLeads to serious infractions of human rightsInternationally and domesticallyPolitical inequality

Effectiveness of coercion

Conclusion

Solutions-lauraIncentive and disincentive policies must:Take into account shifts in population trends

What is goalWhat is timelineUrban vs rural focusGentrification of society China example

Assess impact of Gender in/equalityprograms may ..projecting the image of the gfirl child as an asset to the family rather than a liabilityHave correct targetInvolve choice and empowermentIncrease women’s economic security

Solutions-StuteeCultural factors - gender, religion, societal customsComprehensive reproductive health care-holistic approach, socio-cultural taboos, accessStrong government/leadershipSocio-cultural climateWomen’s rights

EducationDelay in exposure to intercourseAlternatives in life to early marriageChanges people’s thinking Problem based learning, Skits, T.V, Radio

BibliographyMinnesotans for Sustainibility. The Cairo Conference on Population and Development. August, 1994. <http://www.mnforsustain.org/mann_d_cairo_conference_on_pop_and_development.htm#Non-Coercive%20Incentives>Weeks, John R. How To Influence Fertility: The Experience So Far (1990). November 16, 2004. http://dieoff.org/page35.htmThe Wall Street Journal. Fertility “Revolution” Lowers Birth Rates. January 24, 2003. http://www.mongabay.com/external/WSJ-Fertilty_Revolution.htmLaigen, L. The Greatest Modern Threat to Reproductive Freedom. November 16, 2004. <http://www.fnsa.org/v1n2/liagin1.html>

Questions???