Recommend the book "The Empty Cradle" for a fascinating analysis of low (or less that replacement) birth rates worldwide. Finished it last night and found that I had many misconceptions.
Americans face a similar problem. It's mostly the Left that's killing their own young - they're aborting themselves out of existence.
I've done my best to keep my wife pregnant for the last five years, almost uninterrupted. We're expecting another in August.
Rule #254 for men: Never, ever, ever comment to a woman with a big belly about her pregnancy. She might just be fat. Comments to fat male friends about their pregnancies might be appropriate and funny, though.
This is a good article, thanks. It's true that in our Western societies, woman are judged much like men; what is their annual income? Kids can be a real career problem, unless you're in the financial bracket that can afford a reliable live-in nanny.
I have kids, but my two sister-in-laws declined maternity. One said (no kidding) that she could have more material things without children, and the other mentioned the long, long term commitment and it's effects on her beloved overseas traveling. They seem happy with their choices, although it seems such a sterile existance to me.
We've been bamboozled. There is a religion that allows multiple wives and children, and demographics are not in favor of western culture.
I do not know if the tide can be turned or not; there are a minority of the western tradition doing very well with larger families; it would have been difficult for me personally, three was plenty for my situation, but it's almost like getting pregnant is unpatriotic unless it was preceeded by careful planning or conceived in a non-traditional way. That seems to be worthy of news stories.
People seem to be waking up, but who wants to step up to the plate now? Things are so screwed up, I don't know if we'll ever see a revitalization of once normal, two-parent, enduring-marriage type families or not. It used to seem to work pretty well. Kids seemed grounded and happier within their biological parent, traditional family units.
It's not selfishness, it's "anti-natalism" ping.
I refuse to capitulate to Malthusian jackassery. I will be 50 this summer and my wife and I just had a new baby girl in December. Two other kids are 11 and 8. You must realize though that my wife is only 38. Babies are great!
Germany is in big trouble because its fostered a culture where its not considered cool or hip to have children. Women now want to stay in college for their entire 20's. Enter the work force in their 30's, and not be burdened with with children while trying to move up the ladder.
Germany's birthrate amongst ethnic germans is now almost non-existant or having one child is considered a massive stretch.
Madeleine Bunting understands.
good one.
Fewer people means more jobs, more space, higher-quality living for less money, and a better environment for me. That, and I like watching government entities squirm when they think about how the declining birthrate is going to affect the Social Security program that they have been looting for years.
I'll admit to sometimes having the nervous, questioning response when hearing about someone's pregnancy, but only when I find that the pregant woman is unfit and totally unprepared for parenthood. When that's not the case, I am very happy for the person and almost always offer congratulations. I was quite happy when I found out my sister was pregant with her first child, as I knew it was something she had always wanted and that she'd make a great mom.
Personally, I have no interest in having children of my own. I just wish both sides could learn to tolerate and respect the other's decisions. Some people find joy and fulfillment in parenting, and some expect that they will not. Instead of judging someone for being a "breeder" or a "selfish materialist," why not just recognize that we all have different preferences and abilities, and not get so worked up about it?
Parenthood is hated by the nihilists. But some on the Right are non parents as well but for entirely different reasons. If one is honest about what a child is likely to face in terms of mind numbing dumbing down, unless one is absolutely certain they can provide not only flawless home schooling, but also, a home environment free of pornography, computer games and other mind destroyers, then it may well be best not to bring a child into the world. It is a quandry - we, as conservatives, ought to replace ourselves and then some, but the child we create may not actually replace us at all.
However rational the decision to not propagate your line, the world ultimately trends to being run by whatever group makes the most babies. Even if it means the world is run into the ground.
Here in NY I see women having babies, but it's more like a narcissistic thing. They treat them like pets or trophies to show off. Also, they're obsessed with getting their figures back after pregnancy. They're producing some very amoral & ill-mannered kids.
While I hate to see the birthrate declining in Western countries, I do feel that some people really are not cut out for parenting. Either they're too selfish or damaged. Hopefully, most people will want to have children -- and raise them, for the right reasons.
There was another thread posted today with a similar theme ... you might find it interesting:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1593531/posts
Different article, same topic.
Just ask the Shakers. Oh wait! There aren't any left!
God Bless all mothers. God help all fathers!
Family first.
When I was young we used to say that "The one who dies with the most toys wins!" Only the goverment wins there. Now, as a grandpa, I say " The one who dies with the most genetic offspring wins the game of life!"
I used to tell people I worked for my my Uncle Sam or, later, for a company. Now I tell them I work for my family.
My children have taught me more than I could teach them!