Talking Their Way Out of a Population Crisis

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/23/opinion/sunday/talking-their-way-out-of-a-population-crisis.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=talking%20their%20way%20out%20of%20a%20population%20crisis&st=cse

The global population explosion, most of which will come from Africa, could have a major effect of the rest of the world, the U.S. included. Just like the western decrease in population from the 1700s - 1900s, the solution to African population explosion could be "relaxed, trusting, and frank conversations between men and women" because conversation opens the people up to the idea of family planning and contraception. Many women in rural Africa have little power over their fertility and fear beatings if they speak out against their husbands. Treating sick children and pregnant women has decreased child morality, but fertility has not decreased yet, except in women who have converted to evangelical christianity. At churches, women learned in church to speak and have some power and control over their lives and actions, so they were more willing and capable of grouping together outside of church to fight for rights over their own fertility. Also a program aimed at stopping men from beating their wives has given women more confidence and decreased fertility rates. Epstein concludes that women's rights and empowerment, more than health services and money, will decrease birthrates.