Demography itself could explode much faster

The fundamental question is: what are the psychological, psychosocial or psychosexual mechanisms that keep the proliferation of a population within acceptable limits?

Can it be admitted that the consideration of family budget problems, the desire to have descendants of his blood, the joy of raising children, the risk of overpopulation and other elements related to vital possibilities are integrated by the individual in a conscious way, that he wants only a number of children corresponding, on average, to the economic possibilities of the society to which he belongs?

Such regulation seems highly unlikely. The elements to be considered are too complex and disparate to make it possible to calculate as little as possible. Each family thinks of its own economic interests, desires and possibilities, without taking into account the future of the whole society. The fact that neighbourhood neighbours have made more than two children per family will not encourage the young couple to decide to make one.

Economic difficulties also do not result in a minimum restriction on the number of children. On the contrary, there is a higher fertility rate than elsewhere in countries with the most difficulties. The difficulty of accessing contraceptives explains in part. But the very role they play shows that human sexuality would lead to exaggerated fertility.

On the other hand, ethnologists who have studied certain Indian or Aboriginal tribes, in which contraception is not available, can see a regulation of the number of births, adapted to the father’s hunting abilities. The best hunters regularly have more offspring than the least skilled. However, sexuality is practiced there without particular moral limitations (at least before the missionary visits).

These difficult-to-understand facts can prompt us to postulate the existence of a fertility rate regulation beyond our current knowledge. We are well aware that each coitus does not produce fertilization, even during the period of ovulation. This does not prevent many coitus practiced without childish desire from leading against the will of the protagonists to an involuntary conception. Mothers often find it difficult to accept their newborn child.

It is quite possible that these apparent inconsistencies of essential natural mechanisms are hidden behind. If this is the case, then they need to be identified in such a way as to clarify them in clear and distinct terms. Then look for elements that can distort natural functioning and produce unbridled population growth.

Once these elements are better known, it would be possible for a general awareness to lead very spontaneously to a reduction in birth rates, in relation to the survival of the planet and its occupants of all species…