The Bunker – News without the nonsense 'Hipster eugenics' – Why the US far-right is obsessed with babies
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Mar 27, 2025 
Carter Sherman, a reproductive health reporter for Guardian US, dives into the far-right's obsession with pronatalism and its political ramifications. She explores the historical roots of this ideology and how figures like Elon Musk are driving the narrative. The discussion highlights contradictions between pro-birth rhetoric and the lack of support for new families, touching on maternal mortality rates, particularly among black women. Sherman also examines unexpected alliances around IVF and the ripple effects of state-level abortion legislation on national policies.
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Defining Pronatalism
- Pronatalism advocates for childbirth, often for the benefit of the state.
- This can involve government policies that incentivize having children.
Contextualizing Pronatalism
- Pronatalism varies across countries, influenced by cultural and political contexts.
- US pronatalism is distinct, often tied to anxieties about changing demographics and gender roles.
Historical Roots of US Pronatalism
- US pronatalism gained traction in the mid-19th and early 20th centuries.
- President Theodore Roosevelt's "race suicide" rhetoric exemplifies its historical link to eugenics.