

Parenting in the Modern Age | Interview: Emily Oster
28 snips Oct 1, 2025
In this engaging discussion, economist Emily Oster, a Brown University professor and author, tackles controversial topics like the Tylenol-autism claims and the societal pressures on modern parents. She debunks common myths about breastfeeding and sleep training, offering data-driven insights that calm anxious new parents. Emily also explores the emotional aspects of parenting, the allure of traditional domestic roles, and practical advice for navigating household responsibilities. Her refreshing take encourages a balanced view of parenting in today's world.
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Tylenol Claim Overblown And Misleading
- RFK Jr.'s Tylenol-autism claim resurfaced old anti-vaccine themes and surprised many by its strength.
- Emily Oster argues the administration amplified weak observational links into a misleading narrative.
Correlation ≠ Causation For Acetaminophen
- Observational links between prenatal acetaminophen and autism weaken when comparing siblings and likely reflect confounding.
- Even if causal, the estimated effect is tiny and cannot explain rising autism diagnoses.
Diagnosis Changes Drive Autism Rise
- Much of the rise in autism reflects broader diagnosis and screening changes rather than true symptomatic increase.
- Oster estimates 60–90% of the apparent rise is labeling and detection effects.