6 ms·

Zoning restrictions on dense housing, car focussed sub/urban development, ignoring climate change, rampant low interest spending, and here we are. The middle cl

by bhpm 3y ago

Zoning restrictions on dense housing, car focussed sub/urban development, ignoring climate change, rampant low interest spending, and here we are. The middle class has no public infrastructure to fall back on. Transit is broken and not suitable for the aging population. Rents are rising faster than wages. Is it any wonder the birth rate is dropping?

nyokodo 3y ago
> Is it any wonder the birth rate is dropping? If you’re referring to the USA, and if all these things are as severe and hopeless as you say then how do you explain that the birth rate has been rising slightly for the last few years?
- bhpm 3y ago
  People were stuck inside, didn’t have money and sex is free. US has been below replacement rate since 2008, one blip isn’t going to rescue us.
- silverquiet 3y ago
  How much is slightly? And the radioactive question - among which population are births concentrated? Isn't it usually recent immigrants who have the most?
- 0xdde 3y ago
  What numbers are you looking at? There was a further decrease in the rate when COVID began, then a slight rebound from those depressed levels. The decline continued this year. Small fluctuations don't contradict a general trend.
- fransje26 3y ago
  > how do you explain that the birth rate has been rising slightly for the last few years? Let's see. Restricted access to sex education? Restricted access to family planning? Restricted access to abortion clinics?
  - xyzelement 3y ago
    Preposterous claim. The US is well below replacement fertility. It seems like people have zero problems finding ways to not have kids.
thayne 3y ago
After traveling in Europe with a young child, I concluded that a dearth of places for children to play outside, due to high population density, and the prevalence of public transit that is not well suited for young children, especially if you are trying to wrangle more than one, is a contributing factor to the low birthrates there.

by bhpm 3y ago

nyokodo 3y ago

> Is it any wonder the birth rate is dropping? If you’re referring to the USA, and if all these things are as severe and hopeless as you say then how do you explain that the birth rate has been rising slightly for the last few years?

bhpm 3y ago
People were stuck inside, didn’t have money and sex is free. US has been below replacement rate since 2008, one blip isn’t going to rescue us.
silverquiet 3y ago
How much is slightly? And the radioactive question - among which population are births concentrated? Isn't it usually recent immigrants who have the most?
0xdde 3y ago
What numbers are you looking at? There was a further decrease in the rate when COVID began, then a slight rebound from those depressed levels. The decline continued this year. Small fluctuations don't contradict a general trend.
fransje26 3y ago
> how do you explain that the birth rate has been rising slightly for the last few years? Let's see. Restricted access to sex education? Restricted access to family planning? Restricted access to abortion clinics?
- xyzelement 3y ago
  Preposterous claim. The US is well below replacement fertility. It seems like people have zero problems finding ways to not have kids.

thayne 3y ago

After traveling in Europe with a young child, I concluded that a dearth of places for children to play outside, due to high population density, and the prevalence of public transit that is not well suited for young children, especially if you are trying to wrangle more than one, is a contributing factor to the low birthrates there.