In the 1700s, Thomas Malthus came up with the Malthusian Theory. In this theory he stated that the population growth would always place pressure on the ability of land and resources to support the population. Population is moving at a geometric progression, while land and resources moves at an arithmetic progression. Therefore the population is expanding at a more rapid pace than the land and resources that become available. It is becoming a serious problem to the world as time passes on and population still continues to grow at alarming rates.

There are “natural” ways to keep the population in balance with the land and resources. There are two “natural” ways to do this: Positive Checks and Preventive Checks. Positive Checks can be war, disease, famine, natural disasters and prostitution. Preventative checks helps to slow population in two ways. One way is through defined marriages. In a defined marriage, marriage occurs at a later age. Celibacy is the second option, in which the individual never marries nor engages in sexual intercourse.

There is a slow decline in birthrate and a fast decline in death rate. A factor that contributes to a slow decline in birthrate is cultural attitudes. For example, large families are slow to change. A factor that contributes to a fast decline in death rate is an introduction of modern technology. This slow decline in birthrate and fast decline in death rate leads to a large rate of natural increase.

The first stage deals with the less developed country. In the less developed country there are high birthrates, as well as high death rates. Reasons for high birthrate are due to many different reasons. One could be a lack of knowledge or effectiveness in technology. This could cause or lead to a lack of effective birth control. Another reason could be because of culture. In some cultures children are viewed as an economic asset or a contributing factor to social status/role. As an economic asset children can be used to divide labor or as a form of social security. Under social status the more sons one has, the better outlook they have. Under social role, specifically the mother, she is seen as the “baby-m

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