Lisa Hagen, an NPR reporter, delves into the pro-natalist movement, highlighting its belief that increasing birth rates can save society from decline. Sociologist Karen Guzzo discusses the complexities behind why people choose to have children and critiques current policies. Daria Burke shares insights from her memoir about overcoming childhood trauma in 1980s Detroit, revealing how early experiences shape our identities. Together, they unpack the intersections of societal pressures, personal history, and the journey towards resilience.
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insights INSIGHT
Pronatalism Overlooks Women's Realities
Pronatalists warn that falling U.S. birth rates threaten economic collapse or extinction but this overlooks women’s autonomy and economic realities.
The movement's push for more births neglects the cost of child care and broken parental leave systems.
insights INSIGHT
Delays Lower Birth Rates
Many want children but delay parenthood due to personal and societal challenges.
This postponement causes lower birth rates, sometimes resulting in childlessness.
question_answer ANECDOTE
The Collins: Techno-Puritans
The Collins couple brands themselves as techno-puritans, embracing technology to have many children.
Their approach combines data principles with unconventional parenting inspired by nature documentaries.
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Set against the backdrop of 1960s America, *Full Circle* chronicles Tana Roberts' journey from New York to the racially charged South as she pursues a legal career. The novel explores her sacrifices for professional success and eventual realization that she can balance career, love, and fulfillment. Critics note Steel's signature blend of melodrama and wish-fulfillment, with debates about the protagonist's unrealistically smooth career path in the male-dominated legal field of the era.
Of My Own Making
Daria Burke
Daria Burke's memoir, "Of My Own Making," offers a poignant and honest account of her upbringing in 1980s and 90s Detroit, marked by her mother's addiction and the challenges of poverty. The book details her resilience and determination to escape her difficult circumstances, highlighting her journey to academic success and a thriving career in the corporate world. Burke explores the lasting impact of trauma on her life, delving into the science of healing and neuroplasticity. Through her story, she reveals the complexities of overcoming adversity and the importance of self-discovery. Ultimately, "Of My Own Making" is a testament to the human spirit's capacity for growth and transformation.
The Shroud
Gary Habermas
The Death of the West
How Dying Populations and Immigrant Invasions Imperil Our Country and Civilization
Patrick J. Buchanan
The book argues that Western civilization is in decline due to collapsing birth rates in Europe and the U.S., coupled with population explosions in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Buchanan uses United Nations population statistics to support his claims and argues that uncontrolled immigration and the rise of a counter-culture are eroding traditional Western values and threatening American democracy. He also critiques the cultural elite and the impact of the 1960s cultural revolution on American society[1][2][5].
We're diving into the resurgence of the pronatalism movement, the belief that having more babies will save a failing civilization. With new Trump-backed policies promising "baby bonuses" and even a "National Medal of Motherhood," pronatalists are warning that falling U.S. birth rates could mean economic collapse, or even extinction. Sociologist Dr. Karen Guzzo and NPR reporter Lisa Hagen join us to unpack the motivations behind this growing movement.
Also, we'll talk with author Daria Burke. She spent several years digging into the science of how our brains and bodies carry the imprint of early experiences. She wanted to understand the trauma of her childhood.
Plus, Justin Chang reviews the new Cronenberg thriller The Shrouds.
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