Opinions in the Outback

Our Carnarvon tour guide, Simon

During our last hike at Carnarvon Gorge, we stopped as Simon showed us some ancient birth control methods that were used by the Aboriginal people. They were some type of nut or berry that had quinine in them and were an effect method in preventing pregnancy.

Ancient birth control methods 

He began to talk to us about population control and our decline of resources. "You need to think about what the worst the environment can deliver and that we stay within that carrying capacity. The Aboriginal people stayed within the caring capacity," he said. Once he opened the floor for others to talk, our 5 minute stop turned into nearly an hour. Simon asked Mindy what she thought if we were told we could only have a certain number of kids. As an easy-going girl, Mindy is not the type of person to speak her mind and argue her beliefs. Yet, this questioned stirred her, making her strong opinion of having as many children as she pleases sound bold. Alex was quick to disagree and believes our resources are far more important.

Controversy began and others were telling their opinion. All I could do was listen. Watching my classmates discuss this controversy was interesting. We all come from different backgrounds, different upbringings, different values.