E166: The Truth About Babies, Big Families, And Happiness w/Catherine Pakaluk

Nov 26, 2024

Catherine Pakaluk, a Professor of Political Economics at the Catholic University of America, challenges the narrative surrounding family size and population growth. She argues against overpopulation fears and instead highlights the joy and benefits of larger families. They discuss the mental health improvements that can arise from having more children and the cultural shift needed to embrace this perspective. Catherine also emphasizes the historical link between population growth and innovation while exploring the economic implications of declining birth rates.

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Intro

00:00 • 2min

Blended Bonds: Navigating Motherhood and Loss

01:32 • 7min

Finding Joy in Family Growth

08:35 • 3min

Understanding Family Growth Amid Declining Birth Rates

11:59 • 8min

Debunking Overpopulation Myths and Family Size Impact

19:55 • 4min

Reevaluating Population and Resources

23:41 • 14min

Navigating the Economics of Family Size and Healthcare

37:18 • 3min

The Blessings of Children: Faith, Family, and Cultural Perspectives

39:54 • 4min

Cultural Perceptions of Family Size and the Blessing of Children

43:42 • 5min

Economic Growth and the Expanding Capacity to Love

48:51 • 4min

Exploring Family Choices and Dynamics

52:32 • 25min

The Blessing of Motherhood: Connecting Biblical and Modern Narratives

01:17:40 • 4min

Is overpopulation truly a threat to society, or should we be more concerned about the U.S.'s declining population growth? Does having more children lead to greater happiness? Today, I sit down with Dr. Catherine Pakaluk, Professor of Political Economics at the Catholic University of America, to explore these questions. Rather than focusing on those choosing not to have children, Catherine shifts the spotlight to women who defy the trends—mothers of large families.

In this thought-provoking discussion, we delve into what drives these women to grow their families, the surprising ways babies can contribute to mental health and healing, and an unexpected take on the link between resources and population growth.

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00:00:00 - Intro

00:04:58 - What was it like starting marriage with 6 children?

00:08:60 - People told us not to have children

00:14:52 - Population in the West/globally?

00:16:26 - What are the consequences of population decline?

00:19:55 - Is overpopulation real?

00:22:23 - People are minds, not just stomachs

00:24:42 - Resources are unlimited

00:26:59 - People don’t breed like rabbits

00:30:05 - I think this is one of the hardest topics I've ever thought about

00:40:04 - Who’s having children today?

00:48:09 - Learning about things we can’t see by the things we can

00:50:20 - God intended economic growth

01:13:53 - Awkward question for America