Chapter 18, World Problems and the Practice of Anthropology Applied Anthropology Population Growth World Hunger Anthropologists as Advocates

Applied Anthropology: World view Attention to small-scale communities Insistence on prior detailed knowledge Sensitivity to cultural differences Appreciation of alternatives Recognition of systematic complexity

Population Growth In the last 50 years, world population has more than doubled. Most population growth occurs in the poorer countries of the world. Overpopulation in Latin America, Africa, and parts of Asia is resulting in ethnic and social conflict, environmental degradation and massive migration

Factors Limiting Family Size in North America Cultural norms and social expectations about family size Occupational and spatial mobility Women’s employment Social burdens of children

Factors Encouraging Larger Families in LDC’s High rates of infant mortality Extended families Low monetary cost of children Women's tasks are not incompatible with child care.

Explanations for World Hunger Scarcity - hunger is caused by overpopulation Inequality -hunger is caused by unequal distribution of resources

Agricultural Alternatives Intercropping Traditional resource management

Medicinal Wisdom Peruvian Indians taught Europeans to use quinine to treat malaria treatment. Madagascar periwinkle used in folk medicine to treat diabetes.

Medicinal Wisdom South American Indians used curare, a muscle relaxant as arrow poisoning and scientists learned of its value as a muscle relaxant. Ancient Greeks and north American Indian tribes used willow bark to treat pain and fever. This was synthesized into aspirin.

Adaptive Wisdom of Preindustrial Peoples Selecting crops that grow and yield well in their habitat. Controlling insect pests and diseases that attack the plants on which they depend. Learning how to make nature work for them.