The birthrate thing

Very interesting article in todays NY Times Magazine on declining birthrates in Europe, which, as you've undoubtably heard, mean that selfish, secular, childless women are opening the gates for the fertile muslim hordes to enter and destroy western civilization.

You haven't heard that? Well you clearly don't read the right books.

Data indicates, according to the article, that the decline in birthrate is higher in societies that have not really embraced modern family paradigms. Meaning, the need for women to work butting up against a society that expects them to stay home with the kids.

In Scandanavia, the welfare state helps families make ends meet, supports life/work balance with paid leave, and offers child care and education for the very young. And Scandanavian birth rates are substantially higher than in Southern Italy, where economic realities mean that young people live at home longer, and when they venture into marriage there is no social or economic "safety net" if they decide to procreate.

In the US, the welfare safety net may not be generous, but the society at least accepts changing gender roles, and there are resources for families to get started. And women will not be cast forever out of the work force if they stay home for a few years, the risk of temporarily giving up their jobs or careers is not nearly as great as in more traditionalist cultures. Hence, the birthrate here is substantially higher than in southern Europe, Japan, etc.

But also fascniating is this question: on a planet that is increasingly taxed by overpopulation, can't the declining birth rate be viewed as a net positive?

In one German region (Germany has perhaps the lowest birthrate in Europe), local officials and the BauHaus Institute are busily reimagining villages that have shrunk by 25% or more. And their visions are inspiring. They see not economic and social collapse, but renewal and long-term vitality.

Anyway, good read, much food for thought.

But then, I'm a feminist with 1 kid and no plans for more, so maybe you should go to mass rather than listening to me.