[Sherman Logan]

Thus, since the 18th century, the atomistic family has been the Western cultural norm. ... Here's the problem: Societies ruled by the atomistic family model, with its loosening of constraints on its individual members, quit having enough children to carry on.

Doesn't exactly explain the truly massive population explosion in the USA and most of Western Europe during the 19th century, does it?

[Dumb_Ox]

It’s also odd is that Dreher is describing the Victorian family as “atomistic.”

[steve-b]

Doesn't exactly explain the truly massive population explosion in the USA and most of Western Europe during the 19th century, does it?

Don't confuse people with facts.

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

I agree. This “atomistic” thing seems to have come about rather recently, not three centuries ago.