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The article highlights the role of social work in family planning. All the social, health, and economic afflictions are connected with poverty. Contrary to popular belief, the population explosion in the United States is primarily attributable not to the high birth rate among low-income couples but--according to some leading authorities in the demographic field--to the third "wanted" child among middle-class families. Not many people know that low-income Americans, when compared with higher socioeconomic groups, show a preference for having as few or fewer children. The social work profession in general has avoided open and direct involvement in dealing with the family planning needs of its clientele. And although they are members of a helping profession, the social workers themselves have studiously avoided assuming professional responsibility in helping their clients to secure family planning services. The change in the climate of opinion and the increasing public awareness and discussion of the population explosion make it necessary that the social work profession look more closely at its role and its responsibility.