I wonder why?
Posted on 05/24/2005 12:34:12 PM PDT by Uncledave
By LISA LEFF, Associated Press Writer
SAN FRANCISCO - Anne Bakstad and Ed Cohen are starting to feel as if their family of four is an endangered species in San Francisco.
Since the couple bought a house five years ago, more than a dozen families in their social circle have left the city for cheaper housing, better schools or both.
The goodbyes are so frequent that Carina, age 4 1/2, wants to know when she is going to move, too. Eric, 2 1/2, misses Gus, his playmate from across the street.
"When we get to know people through our kids, we think to ourselves, `Are they renters or owners? Where do they work?' You have to figure out how much time to invest in people," Bakstad said. "It makes you feel like, `Where is everyone going? Stay with us!'"
A similar lament is being heard in San Francisco's half-empty classrooms, in parks where parents are losing ground to dog owners, and in the corridors of City Hall.
San Francisco has the smallest share of small-fry of any major U.S. city. Just 14.5 percent of the city's population is 18 and under.
It is no mystery why U.S. cities are losing children. The promise of safer streets, better schools and more space has drawn young families away from cities for as long as America has had suburbs.
But kids are even more scarce in San Francisco than in expensive New York (24 percent) or in retirement havens such as Palm Beach, Fla., (19 percent), according to Census estimates.
San Francisco's large gay population — estimated at 20 percent by the city Public Health Department — is thought to be one factor, though gays and lesbians in the city are increasingly raising families.
Another reason San Francisco's children are disappearing: Family housing in the city is especially scarce and expensive. A two-bedroom, 1,000-square-foot starter home is considered a bargain at $760,000.
A recent survey by the city controller found 40 percent of parents said they were considering pulling up stakes within the next year.
Determined to change things, Mayor Gavin Newsom has put the kid crisis near the top of his agenda, appointing a 27-member policy council to develop plans for keeping families in the city.
"It goes to the heart and soul of what I think a city is about — it's about generations, it's about renewal and it's about aspirations," said Newsom, 37. "To me, that's what children represent and that's what families represent and we just can't sit back idly and let it go away."
Newsom has expanded health insurance for the poor to cover more people under 25, and created a tax credit for working families. And voters have approved measures to patch up San Francisco's public schools, which have seen enrollment drop from about 62,000 to 59,000 since 2000.
One voter initiative approved up to $60 million annually to restore public school arts, physical education and other extras that state spending no longer covers. Another expanded the city's Children's Fund, guaranteeing about $30 million a year for after-school activities, child care subsidies and other programs.
"We are at a crossroads here," said N'Tanya Lee, executive director of the nonprofit Coleman Advocates for Children and Youth. "We are moving toward a place where we could have an infrastructure of children's services and no children."
Other cities are trying similar strategies. Seattle has created a children's fund, like the one in San Francisco. Leaders in Portland, Ore., are pushing developers to build affordable housing for families, a move Newsom has also tried.
For families choosing to stay in San Francisco, life remains a series of trade-offs. They can enjoy world-class museums, natural beauty and an energy they say they cannot find in the suburbs.
But most families need two or more incomes to keep their homes, and their children spend most of their days being cared for by others.
"We have so many friends who are moving out and say how much easier life has been for them," Bakstad said. "If we can make it work in the city, we would love to stay. In a way, the jury is out."
and thank God. . . .
Couples Steve & Bruce and Susan & Betty are perplexed...
I am Jack's Total Lack of Surprise.
No comment necessary.
NAMBLA Saddened....
That's the city where the term "breeder" is considered a vicious insult.
Culture of Death bump...
These are the results.
I wonder how many of the 14.5% of San Francisco residents who are under 18 are teenage runaway street hustlers.
Good one, sam
What can you expect in a homosexual, lesbos environment other than a dwindling of heterosexual families which include children. The same sex population have no one to blame but themselves for their sterile environment.
D'uoh!
Does that question seem a little biased?
They will just have to import illegals who will let their children go to the schools that American's won't.
"Child population dropping in San Fransisco"
SHOCKED! SHOCKED!! I am that homo-perves are not able to procreate.
Buggery doesn't result in pregnancy!
Whoever would have thought of that?
See ya troll!
With the liberals aborting their childern, its logical that their school populations should be dwindling.
Abortion is also the reason liberals are loosing at the polls. Conservatives are raising conservative children. Liberals are raising .......?
Let's hear it for Captain Obvious. Who in their right mind would rear children in the Queer Capital of the world? It's like living in Disneyland on Gay Day.
I wonder why?
Seems to me the sodomy and infanticide crowd chose unwisely ...
When the number of rigteous people in the city drops below 10, I'd grab my things and run.
I say with their large , apparently, gay population and the diseases they harbor and the at risk behaviour they practice.....MOVE AWAY AS FAST AS YOU CAN....!!!!!!!
Just damn. Why does anyone with a child stay there? There are world-class museums and interesting scenery in Tulsa, too.
Liberals are utterly clueless. Arts programs, physical education and parks are useless if you have to walk through urine-stained streets dodging alcoholics, drug-abusers and the mentally ill harassing you for spare change. Clean up the streets first and maybe you'll see progress.
I was gonna make a joke but sadly, this one just isn't funny anymore. There are consequences to one's actions and lifestyle.
LOL
It seems the mods are asleep. This troll has been spewing on multiple threads.
Understandable coming from San Francisco.
And DON'T look back!
This is a retread troll. He/she/it posts the same reply every time someone calls troll.
The Roe Effect.
No no - thank you - but I can't accept the title of genius when the real rocket scientists are busy reaming each other up the *ss and calling it "love".
LOL!
Like Massachusetts, any area totally dominated by the left is likely to see population decline amongst those who have children and desire a future for them.
Maybe elpreseidente Fox could help her out.
"It seems the mods are asleep. This troll has been spewing on multiple threads."
One eye open, evidently, hehe.
"San Francisco has the smallest share of small-fry of any major U.S. city. Just 14.5 percent of the city's population is 18 and under"
I wonder how many children have been kill in their "family planning centers"? An advanced city like San Francisco wouldn't want to be held down by children.
Holtz
JeffersonRepublic.com
What are you saying?
That two men can't conceive a child and thus pass on the 'Gay Gene'.
I'm confused...
Hold the Butt er....
Yeah, they got him right after I posted. LOL
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.