1. Gender and Excess Mortality: Discuss the issues raised in "No country for young girls," and "too young to wed," and the issue of female "excess mortality" in developing nations. Where you surprised at the severity of the issue? 2. Diverging fertility rates: Discuss the pressing issues raised in World in the Balance. How do developing nations and industrial nations differ in fertility rates? 3. Declining fertility and the replacement rate: Western industrial countries are way below the replacement rate.-if this trend continues, by industrial nations' economies will grind to a halt. What are the specific threats to society and the economy? What might be some reasons, and some solutions to increase birth rates again? 4. Maternal and Infant Mortality: Among industrial nations, the U.S, has one of the highest infant and maternal mortality rates, which in some states are actually increasing. What might be some of the reasons, and potential solution? 5. What, in your opinion are the biggest obstacles in contemporary U.S. society to people having children