Intelligence Squared Why Parenthood is a Numbers Game, with Emily Oster
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Jul 15, 2024 
Emily Oster, a Brown University economist and bestselling author, discusses the data-driven approach to parenting and how it can reshape family dynamics. She converses with Tim Harford, highlighting the emotional and economic complexities of parenthood. Topics include real pregnancy complications that challenge idealized perceptions, the need for structured healthcare conversations, and the impact of economics on family decision-making. They delve into gender disparities in the workforce and explore teamwork's role in balancing productivity and expertise.
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Prepare for Appointments
- Prepare for appointments by researching beforehand, maximizing limited time with doctors.
- Use resources like Emily Oster's books to gain background knowledge and facilitate informed discussions.
Data vs. Medical Advice
- Medical advice isn't always purely data-driven; sometimes it relies on correlation, not causality.
- Oster highlights breastfeeding benefits as an example where correlation is often mistaken for causation.
Breastfeeding and Causality
- Breastfeeding's correlation with positive outcomes may be due to other maternal factors, not just breastfeeding itself.
- Sibling studies, controlling for maternal factors, show minimal IQ differences between breastfed and non-breastfed siblings.
