Q9. Critically examine whether growing population is the cause of poverty OR poverty is the main cause of population increase in India.

Model Answer:

Introduction

The relationship between population growth and poverty in India is complex, and both factors are often intertwined. Whether growing population leads to poverty or poverty drives population growth requires a critical examination of socio-economic dynamics.

Body

Argument: Growing Population Causes Poverty

• Resource Strain: A larger population puts pressure on limited resources like land, water, and food. This reduces per capita availability, especially in rural areas, contributing to poverty.
• Unemployment: Rapid population growth leads to an oversupply of labour, making it difficult to generate enough jobs. This results in widespread unemployment and underemployment.
• Infrastructural Deficits: Increased population strains education, healthcare, and infrastructure, leading to lower living standards and poverty in both urban and rural settings.
• Environmental Degradation: Overpopulation exacerbates deforestation, pollution, and soil erosion, further limiting opportunities for sustainable livelihoods.

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Argument: Poverty Causes Population Growth

• Lack of Education: Poverty often correlates with low literacy rates, especially among women. Poor families, lacking awareness about family planning, tend to have more children.
• Child Labor and Economic Security: In impoverished households, children are often seen as economic assets, contributing to family income. This perpetuates high birth rates.
• Lack of Access to Healthcare: Poor families have limited access to contraception and reproductive health services, leading to higher fertility rates.
• Cultural Norms: In poverty-stricken areas, large families are sometimes valued for social and economic security, perpetuating the cycle of poverty-driven population growth.

Conclusion

‍While both growing population and poverty are closely linked, it is more plausible that poverty is the primary cause of population growth in India. Economic insecurity, lack of education, and limited access to healthcare are key drivers of high fertility rates. Addressing poverty through better education, healthcare, and employment opportunities is essential to controlling population growth and breaking the poverty cycle.

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