The U.S. birth rate is falling. One explanation: a diminishing return on investment.
Posted by: Jennifer chang
By Ben Stein,
(Fortune Magazine) -- What is the value of a child in modern Western industrial society? More specifically, what is the value of a middle-class or upper-middle-class or upper-class child in America? And does this have anything to do with the fact that the birth rate among American women has been falling for decades and that the age of first childbirth among educated women is far higher than among less-well-educated women?
Start with economics. People in a free society will choose to have more of something if its return exceeds its cost. On the other hand, people in a free society will choose to have less of a good or service if its value is less than its cost. ... Click to Read More
Start with economics. People in a free society will choose to have more of something if its return exceeds its cost. On the other hand, people in a free society will choose to have less of a good or service if its value is less than its cost. ... Click to Read More
I think this is a very cynical look at the costs of having kids without looking at any of the rewards involved that aren't financially related. If we ever start to look at kids as merely a future financial investment then I think our society has really forgotten the fundamental value of family.
ReplyDeleteCan the falling birthrate have anything to do with the decline of YOUNGER women having children? As our society delves further into higher education, and women strive to attain a well-established career before having kids, the traditional family life cycle is changing. This would appear to pertain less to the "value rating" of children overall, as it does merely the evolving timeline upon which women (or couples) have kids.
ReplyDelete-Shea McCabe