The Politics of
Family Planning
CHAPTER
23-1
23
Voluntary family planning is an important health measure. Availability of fair and
trustworthy services makes a big difference to the health of women, families,
communities, and nations.
It is relatively easy to instruct health workers on how to use or explain family
planning methods. (See Chapter 20 of Where There Is No Doctor or Chapter 13 of
Where Women Have No Doctor.) But it is far more difficult to help them gain an
understanding of the many complex attitudes about birth control. No other area in
health care has become more confused and abused by conflicting political interests.
On all sides, the real needs and wishes of the people—especially of women—are
often ignored or forgotten.
Many who represent the
economically powerful see the
‘population explosion’ (rapidly
growing number of people) as
the main cause of poverty and
hunger in the world. They say the answer
lies in making sure that the poor have
smaller families. By blaming the poor for
having too many children (rather than the
rich for having more than their share of
land, food, and resources), these persons
avoid facing the need for social change.
They focus on the ‘population problem’ to
avoid looking closely at the ‘distribution
problem’.
Many social leaders say birth
control is a weapon used
by the powerful to control
and regulate the poor. They
insist that large families are a
response to poverty, not the cause of it.
There is some truth in what they say. But
unfortunately, social leaders sometimes
make it appear that all family planning
works against the interests of the poor.
This is not true. ‘Child spacing’ can be
very important to family health— when
it is the parents’ informed decision.
It can also help women gain greater
freedom and equality.
Dishonesty occurs on both sides.
Those who promote population
control often do not inform people
adequately about the risks. On the
other hand, those who oppose
population control often exaggerate
the risks. Even those who object to
certain family planning methods for
religious reasons sometimes find it
easier to influence people with the
fear of cancer than with the fear of
God.
In the political battle over birth control, the
wishes of the poor are often forgotten.