The fertility decline in the U.S. and around the world has prompted growing concern. Much of the focus has been on societal-level economic problems that could result from sub-replacement fertility.
However, it is the more personal, existential cost that may be the most damaging consequence of America’s baby bust.
If we want to inspire Americans to start and grow families, we need to do a better job creating and spreading cultural messages that emphasize the fundamentals of a meaningful life.
A counter-intuitive fact about the 21st century is that, as nations become wealthier, people have fewer children. Critically, the percentage of people who are not having any children at all is growing. This decline in fertility is a phenomenon of rich countries across the globe and is beginning to catch the attention of researchers and policymakers worried about its potential consequences. The economic dangers of lower fertility rates are top of mind, generating government reports about the coming strain on social safety net programs and state budgets, as well as academic models forecasting lower rates of economic growth.
Even astute observers, however, seem hesitant or unable to engage with the arguably more mundane but more individually relevant, personal cost of fewer children and fewer families.
Continue reading at The Hill.
Clay Routledge, PhD, is the Vice President of Research and Director of the Human Flourishing Lab at the Archbridge Institute. As a leading expert in existential psychology, his work focuses on helping people reach their full potential and build meaningful lives. Follow his work @clayroutledge and subscribe to his newsletter, Flourishing Fridays.
Ben Wilterdink is the former Director of Programs at the Archbridge Institute. Follow him @bgwilterdink.
Culture of Flourishing
The fertility decline in the U.S. and around the world has prompted growing concern. Much of the focus has been on societal-level economic problems that could result from sub-replacement fertility.
However, it is the more personal, existential cost that may be the most damaging consequence of America’s baby bust.
If we want to inspire Americans to start and grow families, we need to do a better job creating and spreading cultural messages that emphasize the fundamentals of a meaningful life.
A counter-intuitive fact about the 21st century is that, as nations become wealthier, people have fewer children. Critically, the percentage of people who are not having any children at all is growing. This decline in fertility is a phenomenon of rich countries across the globe and is beginning to catch the attention of researchers and policymakers worried about its potential consequences. The economic dangers of lower fertility rates are top of mind, generating government reports about the coming strain on social safety net programs and state budgets, as well as academic models forecasting lower rates of economic growth.
Even astute observers, however, seem hesitant or unable to engage with the arguably more mundane but more individually relevant, personal cost of fewer children and fewer families.
Continue reading at The Hill.
Clay Routledge
Clay Routledge, PhD, is the Vice President of Research and Director of the Human Flourishing Lab at the Archbridge Institute. As a leading expert in existential psychology, his work focuses on helping people reach their full potential and build meaningful lives. Follow his work @clayroutledge and subscribe to his newsletter, Flourishing Fridays.
Ben Wilterdink
Ben Wilterdink is the former Director of Programs at the Archbridge Institute. Follow him @bgwilterdink.
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