In his Essay on Population (1798) Thomas Robert Malthus’s (1766-1834) explained his theory of population growth. He argued that human populations tend to grow at a much faster rate than the rate at which the means of human subsistence can grow such as food, clothing, and other agriculture-based products. According to him, agricultural production grows only in a progression of 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 etc. while population can grow in a progression of 2, 4, 8, 16, 32 etc. In such context, he argued for the need for preventing population growth. However, there are incidents in history that reject his way of seeing the growth of the population and its relation to resources. There are counter theories too which refute his observation and prove his theory as false.

According to Malthus postponing marriage or practicing celibacy is.

A preventive check. A positive check. It can decrease the production of subsistence resources. All of the above.

A preventive check.

Postponing marriage or practicing celibacy is a preventive check by human beings. It is not a positive check where nature is at play. It can not be directly connected with a decrease or increase in population also.