[dd74]

On the subject of population control, I know several newly-married couples who refuse to have their own children, but will instead adopt. It seems that if it is a movement, it is catching fire out west. I, for one, am for this thought, or at least I'm for a downsizing of the American family. I find it ridiculous and irresponsible for a couple to have five or six children, particularly in today's climate where resources are low and costs are high. I believe this idea that one needs so many children - other than based on a "love of kids" - comes from some long-ago notion that children are needed to work the farm or carry on the family business - which is honestly a less-likely scenario these days, though still, for some reason, this thought remains inherent in large portions of the American psyche.

To me, having so many kids hedges toward a Third World mentality. If at all, an increase in population can be a strong purveyor of a Third World scenario.

Mandatory birth control counciling may be the key here, and a nationwide push for adoption. But I won't hold my breath on that.