Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd. 1977 Sep;37(9):796-9.

[Population problems of the present (author's transl)].

Geburtshilfe und Frauenheilkunde

[Article in German]
W Maier

PMID: 914025

Abstract

At present objective predications on the trend of the population development at give economic and social conditions are very difficult since neither the axiom to report the facts correctly nor the axiom of neutrality in reporting determine what should or should not be included into the description of a situation. Common expressions such as population politics, marriage fatigue, contraction of the birth rate, generative behavior, contraception, termination of pregnancies, birth corntol capitalist economic order are loaded with emotions and can therefore not be considered to be neutral determinants in the description. In the field of demography and sociology no exact methodology and theory comparable to the natural sciences is existent. The solution to the described problem is probably linked to the question whether increasing technology and increasing intricacy of the organizations and increasing productions are compatable with the improvement of individual life expression. Temporarily attention is diverted by theoretical fashion trends, however old interest in finding the truth is not eliminated and the realization that the wish for a scientific solution is not within the realm of possibility, leads to resignation. Clarification of the basic factors requires a lot of individual thought. Demography and sociology are in danger when the demographer and sociologic identify with a certain economic or sociologic system, since this threatens to eliminate logical thought. Divergent opinions are given factors in any demographic or sociologic problem and must be accepted although they should always be criticized.

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MeSH terms

• Demography*
• Germany, West

Publication Types

• English Abstract
• Journal Article