Last Name: Romero
First Name: Yuliana
Film Review: World in the Balance – The People Paradox
Summarize and comment on the changing population demographic described in the introduction
of “The People Paradox.”
- Populations in various countries are decreasing while the demographics shifts into one in which
the older generation outnumbers the youngest; Unlike times before, birthrates are decreasing.
Meanwhile, in 3rd world countries, birthrates are increasing within younger generations. Thus,
older civilizations are getting older while newer civilizations are getting younger on average.
India – What are the population trends described? What cultural and regional factors drive these trends? Is
anything being done to counteract these trends? What are the implications for the country’s future?
- India is gearing to surpass China as the most populated country; It increases by 10 million evert 3 years.
Surprisingly, birthrates among women have lowered from 6 children to only having 3, on average. This
implicates that India may soon gain control over their population growth. India has parts that are filled with
illiteracy and low education rate amongst women which is typically enables sexual education; Combined with
little to no reproductive control of their own bodies as women, population increases uncontrollably.
Using the same questions (4) as for India, describe the scenario found in Japan. What effects will Japan’s
population pattern have on the economy?
- Japan is facing a decline in birthrates. Japan is facing an increase of unmarries youth who remain unmarried
until the last few years of fertility. Japan’s current recession forces men and women working, making it harder
to raise larger families. Soon enough, there won’t be enough young people to take over for the retiring
generation; This will cause the workforce to shrink, stunting Japan’s economy and possibly damaging the global
economy.
What is are prevailing population trends in the United States? What is the relationship between
population and environmental impact in the US?
- As the US continues to receive immigrants from around the world, its population continues to
grow. This increasing population consumes more resources and causes more pollution than any
other country before.
What factors act to increase the population in sub-Saharan Africa? Decrease the population? What are the social
and environmental impacts of expanding urbanization? What is the overall population structure?
- High disease rates enable a need for in increasing population to surpass the death rates. The increase
in population causes falling income, decreasing social services, and increasing conflicts. Sub-Saharan
African forests are drastically decreasing. Degradation is killing its natural wildlife and damages the
people living solely in the land. Africa is increasing in family planning, successfully decreasing the
average number of children women have. The Aids crisis is creating an increase in orphanages which will
surpass the adult population if nothing is done.
Please reflect on the film as a whole. What was the central message and purpose of the film? Was any
information they provided unverifiable or under contention? Are there any other points the
filmmakers could have presented to create a more effective message? What is your personal reaction
to the film?
- I believe the film’s central message was that a necessary balance between the younger generation and
older generation is needed to prevent certain economic and environmental issues. I believe the purpose
of the film is to provide examples from the mentioned countries that show what happens when certain
socioeconomical factors throw off the balance between birthrates and death rates. I believe showing
the more dire effects of specific socioeconomic factors to enforce more emotions in the obvious;
However, I do think the filmmakers did succeed in showing good visual examples of the results of issues
revolving population rates.
Personally, watching this film makes me sad. A huge reason for many population issues within India and
sub-Saharan Africa stem from a general disdain for women; That is, if only more care and thought were
put into the welfare of women, such as readily available family services, equality in education and the
workforce, and societal relief from expectations.