Essay Example on Science and Western Imperialism: A Complex Interrelation

Introduction

The reading by Takeshita provides some intriguing and interesting details about the relationship between science and Western imperialism. To an ordinary reader, science and Western imperialism may have not nexus. However, the reading by Takeshita shows how these two connect and the interrelationship that exists between them. The author suggests that the connection between science and Western imperialism was twofold (Takeshita 36). For instance, scientific knowledge offered the colonizers with practical tools that ensured there was continued domination.

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The other interesting bit about this reading is the perception between normalcy and abnormality. As the reading suggests, Neo-Malthusian demographers considered small families to be the normative gender relationship while large families were considered an abnormality. This shows that small families were more valued than larger ones. This can be connected to the birth control measures, which were implemented with the sole intention of reducing the sizes of families. Although the Neo-Malthusian demographers supported the Western world idea of having small families, such practices received great resistance from some quarters especially the Church. For instance, the Catholic Church's stand of birth control is that scientific birth control methods should not be used to limit the number of children in a family.

How the Reading Relate To Course Themes or Material

Some of the course themes include population control, westernization, and change. The reading by Takeshita addresses some of these themes as well as the process that was used to advance them. For example, birth or population control is mentioned as a practice that was meant to affirm the Western supremacy. The West considered itself superior to other nations as well as more important. Based on the science advocated for by Western nations, any change or policy advocated for by the Western nations was considered good for everyone. As such, the Western considered itself as the yardstick of success and all that was good. Due to this notion, the Western nations developed the idea of colonizing other nations which they felt needed to change. Due to this notion, Takeshita writes that "Demography became a science that colonizes (Takeshita 37)"

Population control was used as a tool to help Europe have the ability to colonize other nations. The rationale behind population reduction was that the fewer the number of people, the easier it will be to impose rules and policies on them. Confident of this, Europe advocated for birth control across the world.

Gender issues also arise from the reading. This can be seen through the way birth control methods are only designed for women and not men. The developers of the birth control methods have focused on women and even the recent advancements have also focused on women. Although some people such as Margaret Sanger, advocated for the observance of women's rights in the use of birth control methods, their reservations did not last long as they also cooperated with the eugenics. Some of the birth control methods such as the pill were meant to respond to women's desire for pleasure but the primary force behind it was to adhere to the interests of the population control advocates.

The reading by Takeshita raises several questions about global health and technology. One can rightly argue that as a result of the birth control methods used, it is not possible to talk about global health today without addressing the issue of birth control among women. As regards technology, developments from one birth control method such as the pill to other methods such as the intrauterine devices are a result of the advancements in technology.

Works Cited

Takeshita, Chikako. "Birth Control for a Nation" (2011). Print.