Thoughts on Population Education.

An examination of recently published college-level textbooks give an indication of what is taught in introducing cultural, world, regional, and economic geography courses. The paper suggests that the ideas of anthropologist Don E. Dumond should be included in classroom discussions on population. Dumond draws parallels between an industrial society and the culture of early humanity. The argument is presented that the modern nuclear family is the prime unit with responsibility for children; and just as in primitive societies, children cannot make a contribution to the family at an early age. This gives families the motivation to limit the number of children, just as it did with early groups of hunters and gatherers. (NL)