Swift identifies overpopulation, poverty, and famine in Ireland as issues and proposes a satirical solution: that Irish families sell their children to be eaten. He argues this would alleviate poverty by providing meat and income, while the skins could be used for goods. His mock reasoning includes raising children cheaply and selling them for profit. However, his true purpose is to criticize England's oppressive rule by suggesting a ridiculous solution, ultimately calling for real reforms like taxing absentee English landlords.