<Fact is, in several cultures large families are still considered desirable and the norm without a lot [italics mine -- MA] of coersion involved. In places like Saudi Arabia where it seems large families are effectively subsidized with guarantees of government jobs, well, what else would you expect?

Let's see: Japan, Germany, USA, Russia: women can get professional positions, can have their own bank accounts and property, are permitted to drive and can use birth control without having to get anyone's consent. Also low birth rate.

Saudi Arabia: none of the above.

Look at Africa. Women there are intimidated by the men, and "not allowed" to used birth control. The infant mortality rate is horrendous, though, so overpopulation is not a problem. AIDS is, however.

What I said is that girls need education. They also need realistic options. In places where they have this, the birth rate drops, because they have other things to do with their lives and other means of support besides marriage and domestic life. In a nation with options, a woman can (and does: I am living testimony) choose to have a large family, but she has something to say in the matter. If it's marry or starve, the best a woman can hope for is to marry a good man. She has no more control over her life than a child would.

Cultural diversity is not at issue, unless you consider it OK to deprive women and girls of these options. If you do, welcome to Afghanistan.

Regards--
Mary Anne