Maybe One

by Bill Mc Kibben (Author)

• Used

  Paperback
  1999

  $3.50

  Written in lucid, rational prose, the theme of this book is the threat that overpopulation poses to the world. But rather than pontificate and propose global solutions, McKibben contends that there is something average, well-off adults can decide to do about it- they can choose to have only one child. Knowing that he has taken a controversial slant on a delicate subject, McKibben is at pains to demonstrate his reasonableness. He abhors the idea of coerced family planning, for example. Nor is he saying that all parents should limit their families. He points out, however, that there could be 500 million people in the US by 2050 -- what if population declines rather than increases? What would an America with 150 million people -- the population after World War II -- look like? This book does not dodge difficult questions, it seeks them out. Would a generation of only children pose a problem for society? After all they are commonly considered more likely to be lonely, self-centred or incapable of forming healthy social relationships. What about the difficulty of financing social security in an ageing populace? What of the deep emotional satisfaction many receive