New Scientist Opinion has recently published 2 articles, “Why Biology should inform social policy” and “Die Young, Live Fast”.
Basically, science feels that politicians have failed miserably at resolving the financial class distinctions, so they are going to take a crack at it. In their view, the impoverished class is equal to animals – “Animals that live shorter, riskier, lives tend to reproduce early…” Hence the reason why there are so many teen pregnancies. They feel that since we have a relatively short life span due to poor diet, dangerous living conditions, etc., we are going to reproduce faster, and at a younger age.
These biologists claim that given the guarantee of a better future, the less likely teens, and “twenty-somethings”, will reproduce. While this may be true in some circumstances, I don’t think this theory will be able to control teen hormones. Let’s face it, things happen.
The article does make a very valid point: “…we have gained considerable insights into the prerequisites for human fulfillment. Health and security may be top of the list, but we also thrive on community, fairness, bonding, altruism, playfulness and celebration. Hard-pressed politicians seeking inspiration would do well to look to these biological principles…”
Anyone living in the most impoverished of conditions needs to be needed. We, as human beings need to be, and FEEL, accepted. Who is more loving and accepting than a newborn or small child? Perhaps that is closer to the reason for reproducing than leaving behind a legacy.
While science and politicians do endless studies on human behavior, people everywhere are dying due to the lack of common sense. It doesn’t take a PhD, or a multi-million dollar study to figure out how greed and ignorance effect humanity – just watch the news, or talk to the person next to you.
Education and basic necessities are what are needed. Food, clothing , shelter, healthcare, transportation – these are the items that separate the classes. Of course, a little compassion for one another never hurts either.
To read the article in its entirety click here
