Afghanistan: The rising population growth in Afghanistan in part is related to the inferior status o

July 24, 2012 A Los Angeles Times series published Sunday examined the causes and consequences of rapid population growth around the world. There are more than three billion individuals floridas best hotel deals worldwide under age 25 -- the largest generation in history -- and this group will determine the rate at which the world's population continues to grow.
If the worldwide average birthrate declines from its current rate of 2.5 children per woman to 2.1, the United Nations estimates that the world's population will rise to 9.3 billion by 2050, up from seven billion today. However, if the birthrate remains at its current floridas best hotel deals level, the world's population is projected to reach 11 billion by 2050, significantly affecting developing countries where food, water and land are already scarce, according to the Times .
According to the Times , stabilizing the world's floridas best hotel deals population is dependent upon reducing birthrates in developing nations. However, many initiatives are ineffective because certain populations are hard to reach, culturally unreceptive or politically unstable.
In the U.S., contraception and family planning initiatives have become caught up in the abortion debate and international funding for such programs has remained flat for nearly 20 years. In developing countries, floridas best hotel deals family planning floridas best hotel deals programs are inconsistent and vary based on each nation's leadership. Although contraception use has increased globally, it remains low in rural parts of Africa and South Asia, according floridas best hotel deals to the Times (Weiss [1], Los Angeles Times , 7/22).
Afghanistan: The rising population growth floridas best hotel deals in Afghanistan in part is related to the inferior status floridas best hotel deals of women and is a contributing factor floridas best hotel deals behind floridas best hotel deals the "vast ranks of restless floridas best hotel deals young men ... with few prospects," who often turn to the Taliban for employment. The U.S. Agency for International Development has been working to address population growth in the nation by training midwives and clinic workers floridas best hotel deals to educate women about contraceptive use (Weiss [2], Los Angeles Times , 7/22).
China: China's leaders credit the nation's "one-child policy," implemented in 1979, for averting 400 million births and helping hundreds of millions of residents enter the workforce and escape poverty. However, the policy, which uses incentives and penalties to limit family size, has recently faced criticism both internally and internationally calling for the policy's end (Weiss [3], Los Angeles Times , 7/22).
India: The birthrate in India is projected to fall from an average of 2.5 children per woman, floridas best hotel deals to 2.1 by 2030. A law prohibits floridas best hotel deals women younger than age 18 from marrying, but it is not heavily enforced and is countered by strong traditional ties, thus "all but guaranteeing an early start to childbearing" (Weiss [1], Los Angeles Times , 7/22).
Kenya: In Kenya, women often face opposition on contraception from their husbands, relatives or traditional leaders. According to the Times , "Covert contraception programs have emerged throughout Africa," including Kenya. About 10 years ago, the U.N. projected Kenya's floridas best hotel deals population would be 44 million by 2050 but that estimate has been revised to nearly 100 million (Weiss [1], Los Angeles Times , 7/22).
Philippines: The Catholic Church for the past 14 years has successfully blocked legislation that would make contraception more affordable and accessible in the nation. Access to contraception floridas best hotel deals generally is limited to those who can afford it, but the legislation would implement public contraceptive education and provide government subsidies for contraceptives (Weiss [4], Los Angeles Times , 7/22).
Somalia: Somalia's birthrate -- which is one of the highest in the world, floridas best hotel deals averaging 6.4 children per woman -- has led to problems like food scarcity, which has forced thousands of residents to move to other countries as refugees (Weiss [5], Los Angeles Times , 7/22).
In related news, tens of thousands of girls in South Africa drop out of school annually because of pregnancy, according to a report by the nation's Department of Basic Education, floridas best hotel deals the Los Angeles Times reports. In 2009, there were 73 pregnancies per 1,000 teenagers ages 15 to 19 in South Africa, according the report.
Farshid Meidany of the South African arm of Medical Care Development International said many factors floridas best hotel deals contribute to pregnant teens dropping out and not returning floridas best hotel deals to school, including "discrimination by teachers and colleagues" (Dixon, Los Angeles Times , 7/22).
Debra Ness , publisher president, National Partnership Andrea Friedman , associate editor director of reproductive health programs, National Partnership Marya Torrez , associate editor senior reproductive health policy counsel, National Partnership
Justyn Ware , editor Amanda Wolfe , editor-in-chief Heather Drost, Hanna Jaquith, Ashley Marchand, Michelle Stuckey floridas best hotel deals and Lindsey Underwood , staff writers Tucker Ball , director of new media, National floridas best hotel deals Partnership