By Ramadan A. Kader In a ramshackle rural house where he lives with his family, the father of four children – all girls – yelled at them to stop making noise. The 36-year-old casual worker was sitting outside the house, waiting for a potential employer or an errand that he could run in exchange for money. "I wish God will give me a son so that he will support me in life and be my prop when I get old," he said audibly. When he was reminded that he already has four children whom he can hardly support, he answered: "One day, they'll get married and leave for their husbands' houses. But the son will be with me since his early years and work to earn a livelihood." The man's belief is shared by many people mainly in the countryside, contributing to Egypt's overpopulation problem that devours any development trickle. Should the annual birth rate of about 2.5 million children continue uncurbed, the nation's population is expected to reach 132 million by 2030. In recent months, the government has launched an ambitious campaign titled "Two Children Are Enough" aimed at promoting family planning and raising public awareness about detrimental repercussions of overpopulation. Several voices have been raised, calling for depriving big-sized families of state services including education and subsidized food items. But such a punitive approach may backfire amid a deep social and religious belief that there is nothing wrong about having many children. Some believe that the soaring living costs may prompt families to think twice before getting many children. This may not be the case in economically disadvantaged areas where people staunchly believe that children come along with "their provision" and are tools for earning more money. The economic rehabilitation of such areas is vital if any effort for family planning is to bear fruit. Equally important, people need to be convinced that family planning is not haram or un-Islamic and that repeat pregnancies is harmful to the woman's health. Unfortunately, the misconception that family planning contradicts Islam has been instilled for generations in minds by conservative clerics. A mindset change holds the key. In their vigorous campaign to defuse Egypt's demographic bomb, authorities should identify the roots of the burgeoning problem and move to address them in an unconventional fashion. Experiences of the past have demonstrated that high-sounding campaigns or glitzy TV shows are fruitless, or at least of little effect.
