Family planning and birth control have become popular in recent years as people have understood and had many realizations that made them believe it's necessary and that's either related to economic reasons, social reasons, or health. Regardless of which it's, not all countries legalized the act, and I must say that we're lucky in my country because such is approved here, but then is it ideal, and if yes, why? Below I'll share my take on this as well as why it's necessary.
It's worthy noting that I'm a Nigerian, and being from this part of the world, you'll come to realize that, in truth, the need for family planning or birth control mustn't be joked with. Take, for instance, that as of the year 2006, the total population of Nigeria was 144.3 million citizens. Fast forward to 2024, and the population has already skyrocketed to 229,152,217 millions. That's within just 18 years; we've had an increase of about 63.68%., and that makes us wonder what the population will look like in the next 20 years if nothing is done to bring about normalcy to the population of the country.
Birth control is very essential for many reasons, like I said, and in terms of why it's important for health, it's so we can reduce or curb the rate of maternal death during childbirth. It's no longer news that some women died during childbearing, and one of the reasons is due to the pain and health challenges involved, but when you give enough space between the bearing of your children, the body will have had enough time to heal from previous experience, and that'll reduce the challenges of complications during childbirth.
In terms of the economic impacts of birth control or family planning, when you observe our country's situation presently, you'll realize most people cry of hunger, joblessness, lack of infrastructure to contain the citizens, and the like. Of course, we know the government needs to do better, but we as citizens also have a role to play in making the resources of the nation go round to everyone. Now imagine we had an increase of 89 million plus within the last 18 years; within that period, not enough infrastructure has been built.
Meaning that's affecting our economy, as the resources available in terms of food, infrastructure, jobs, and the like can't go round for everyone, but in a situation where all families indulge in family planning, this will help stabilize the population of the country; the government resources would also be more accessible to everyone than they are at the moment, and families won't have to struggle to cater for their plentiful children because they'll have control over the birth to not have more than just one or two children at most per family.
In aspect of phycological and society impact, we can all agree that birth control will reduce stress on basically everyone in the society, from parents to school, offices, and even the government themselves; it'll also help the family, and economic resources go round to most people in the society with only little or none left behind without access to basic needs.
Birth control and family planning are essential, and there's a need to sensitize people about them. Although it's allowed in my country, only a few people take it seriously and do it. You'll go to a family and see as many as 20+ children, and yet the breadwinner of the family income can't even cater for more than 5 people. What would be the fate of others?, and that's why we've got loads of thugs on the street who are causing menace to society.
Had all parents valued family planning and done the needful towards helping themselves and society at large, I believe we wouldn't be in the situation we're in presently because the resources would have been more accessible to all than they are presently. Hopefully there'll be a change in the near future, and the change should start with you and me. Let's adhere to this outcry and as well preach the gospel of family planning to all our neighbors, family, and friends.
All photos are taken and edited on canva.