Germany's abortion laws are stricter than America's! People there just don't want to take the lifestyle hit that having a child would cause. And some of them don't have a choice, because unemployment is high.
I don't know if that's true. In the mid-late 90s German abortion laws were largely liberalized.
Yes, in the last election I noted both Merkel and Schroeder were childless, had married more than once and seemed successful and perpetual careerists in the good sense of the word. I now note that Schroeder has remarried once again to a younger woman with children and they have adopted a child or children.
My point is the "boomer" German is not a great deal different than the "boomer" American in that they focus on personal development and success at the expense of family living and its requirements.
There are exceptions I note the lady socialist candidate for Chirac's job is not only very good looking but has four children and only a live in boyfriend. Again, what seems to be avoided is serious. long term commitments to families and family living. (Sorry I can't remember her name--too long, too French and too much for an old man)
Laws of not, the Ossies "enjoyed" very liberal abortion laws, and to an extent the unifoed government has accomodated their values. But you are right about the general born after WWII. Many gave up on any future beyond their lifetime. Of course, the strict divorce laws encouraged people to live without marriage. A divorce really hits the life-style of each partner. And kids? Vacations to Fuji instead. Who needs family if you have the state to take care of your old age?