"Wake up, developed world, and think of our grandchildren."

According to this article, 40% of pregnancies are unplanned. Despite our much more modern technologies, our methods of contraception, and our lowered infant mortality rates, resulting in less children overall, the population is steadily growing. How can this be so? Why is it that with all of this advanced care and preventative measures available, pregnancies are still a surprise, resulting in parents who are unwilling or incapable of caring for this child, spending tax payers dollars sometimes on something that could have been prevented, and much less expensive?

The article states that while no one wants to think about such a morose topic, the population of the world is growing and it's a problem that needs immediate and priority attention. There are some experts who say that contraception is key, while some place all their faith on lowering the infant mortality rate. Many solutions that all have the same result, but each of them with a few disadvantages, have been recommended. If people were less likely to lose their baby due to a preventable cause (for example mothers nutrition/prenatal care, sufficient medical facilities, competent staff), it is argued that they would have less children to begin with. However, how can we know that people won't just continue having unprotected sex, getting pregnant, having a healthy baby, and keeping all of them? That's just one of the arguments going on dealing with the solutions of this problem.

The solution is not quite clear as of now, but the call to action has been sent to every country's voicemail, pleading and promoting for a solution and fast. The world is said to reach a population of 7 billion in just a few years; and this is "no cause for celebration" as stating in the argument. It is of vital importance that we devise a solution for this issue, as we have not given it the rightful attention it has required for years. As the article ends, and I quite like the way it does, it's time to "wake up...and think of our grandchildren."

Article: http://www.guardian.co.uk/theobserver/2011/jul/24/big-issue-regulating-family-size