The New Statesman | UK politics and culture Why are we having fewer children?
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Jan 20, 2025 In this engaging discussion, guests Madeleine Davis, a New Statesman contributor, and Anastasia Berg, co-author of "What Are Children For? On Ambivalence and Choice," explore the global decline in birth rates. They delve into how financial, social, and romantic factors influence the choice to have children. The conversation highlights changing attitudes towards parenthood and the complexities of modern family planning, emphasizing the societal shifts that impact decisions about raising a family.
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Global Fertility Decline
- Declining birth rates are a global phenomenon, affecting both developed and developing nations.
- Many countries, including those with generous family policies like Norway, are experiencing record low fertility rates.
Readiness Standards
- High standards of readiness, both financial and personal, contribute to falling birth rates. People postpone having children, seeking ideal circumstances.
Postponement Logic
- The "self-evident logic of postponement" encourages delaying childbirth. This is fueled by the perception of parenting as life-altering and over-optimism about reproductive technology.
