[wagglebee]

Prior to the late 19th century, woman would routinely have a large number of children to account for high childhood mortality rates. As childhood deaths declined, the need for more children did too. However, the rate should have stabilized in the early to mid 20th century, but has continued to drop.

[Sherman Logan]

The US fertility rate has bounced up and down some, but has been essentially unchanged since 1975.

A factor that is seldom discussed is that of WHO is having these kids. There is an inverse relationship in our society between number of children and what is generally considered success.

IOW, we are presently seeing reverse Darwinian selection. Superior reproduction by those who are less fit.