A SOCIOLOGIST'S VIEW ON THE MEANING OF THE STRAINS IN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN A HIGH POPULATION GROWTH RATE AND ENVIRONMENT

Summary

It is necessary to identify the values that contain cultural criteria for the quality of life. Once these are known, we can determine the effects of high rates of population growth on the realization of these values. Primary values express a concern with the preservation of life itself. This tends to promote high rates of population growth and to increase the dependency ratio. A second value concerns the actual material standard of living, including shelter and a socially acceptable environment. These challenges are not being met effectively either in South Africa or elsewhere. The value of individual freedom is frustrated by the demands of bureaucratization in a mass society. Thus in most respects a high population growth rate militates against the realization of primary values.