U.S. Birth Rate Reaches Record Low [why have the women given up?]

HHS | June 2003 | Centers for Disease Control

[Churchjack]

I disagree. It is selfish, in a lot of aspects. Chiefly, material.

Childrearing = sacrifice. Time, resources, your self. Deciding that you won't bring children into the world because you "can't do it right" (me Me ME!) is fickle as can be--you choose to consume all the resources you can muster and maintain for yourSELF and not replenishing the earth, returning something to it.

That's the definition of selfish. A woman inclined to think that way, probably has never endured real hardship or missed a meal, except to make a pair of slacks fit right.

I do apologize if I sound judgemental; but this is dear to my heart, and the most profound circumstance in my life these days. My son is 9 mos. old next week. We're poor, working class, uneducated, etc. We want a dozen (more--LOL)--and I'll tell you what--if ten of 'em end up in Huntsville, the cream will rise to the top, and the 2 give their kids what we gave to them--

LOVE

--not stuff--and all the cash and career in the world ain't gonna help the childless in their dotage. Guess they'll be shovelling their own independently wealthy gilt bedpans...

I work for a guy like this, completely self-absorbed, 36 years old with a live-in girlfriend of 8 years HE REFUSES TO MARRY, or have children with. He hangs out at Stars games and clubs and when not in his professional mode, his manner of conversation resembles an adolescent. And even though a liberal, he is an atheist and philosophically articulates a very Objectivist material dialectic--i.e., can justify anything he desires, by a morality built from materialism, but is blindsided when in conflict with the desires of another, or a group. He can't attribute the same moral principle to them (obviously--it is unworkable).

I like the guy personally, but look forward to his kind either maturing, finding Jesus, or dying off.

[7DayRepo]

I'm not fit to be a parent

What a sad thing to read on Freerepublic.

[Churchjack]

This Texan is very happy to be living around Mexicans, Antony. We share a LOT of the same values.

And a love of good food!

[Antoninus]

Then yes, the women should drop the men like 3rd period French and find a guy who is willing to have children (like me!). :)

Guy, you're currently using the greatest wife-finding tool on the planet--namely the internet. I met my wife there and my best friend, who's getting married on Saturday, met his fiancee there too. How? Well, I used a Catholic matchmaker web site. It was totally a lark--I had never done anything like that before, but here I am 5 years later with a beautiful wife and two kids. Who'd a thunk it?

IMHO, religious belief is the best core to build a marriage around. I suspect the "secular" matchmaker sites are a minefield....

[not_apathetic_anymore]

American women (except for FR babes) are exquisitely narcissistic and superficial. They are too selfish and self-centered to have children in their lives.

Careful now. We're not all that narcissistic and superficial:)

This female FReeper got to that age where the clock was ticking very loudly. At the time I was not married. I had/have a good job and could have afforded nannycare. No one else would have had to chip in financially. I discussed the issue with a male friend who agreed to be a donor if thats what I really wanted. When I really gave thought to it I decided that it would be very selfish and self-centered to intentionally bring a child into a single-parent household.

[7DayRepo]

Try a Russian bride:

Blue Sapphires

[Constantine XIII]

Don't worry, it's mainly liberal abortion fanatics that aren't having any children. The conservative folks are having 2, 3, and 4 kids apiece. :)

[7DayRepo]

How much does 1 child cost per year?

[7DayRepo]

A lot of men just aren't mature enough to be fathers.

[Consort]

4,019,280 is not low. 203 would be low.

[xrp]

Well, this is me being very superficial...but I am pretty much intent on someone with DARK brown eyes and DARK brown hair. Asian or Latina woman, most likely.

[A_perfect_lady]

Why have women given up? Because they know they'll be raising those kids alone?

[Doc On The Bay]

I Preface my comments by stating that I am basing them on impressions I have after seeing large numbers of (often conflicting) reports regarding our culture.

What I (in my poor capacity to understand such things) understand is that the average, "Middle Class Family" in the '50's paid ~ 3-4% of their Income to Taxes.

Currently, the "average" Middle Class Family must pay ~ 40% of their income to Taxes.

MANY--if not Most--Middle class families need a "Second Earner" JUST to cover the Massively Increased Tax Burden.

This increased financial burden has required that BOTH parents work to support a "Lifestyle" previously supported by one "Earner!"

There is, therefore, NO MYSTERY why our MOST PRODUCTIVE CITIZENS (our "Middle Class") now produce fewer children---a stable, sane, productive, moral, educated youth REQUIRE an "at-home-parent" for their first five years.

Our TAX STRUCTURE is destroying our ability to raise a Family with the constant supervision of AT LEAST one parent.

I think we instinctively know that constant parental supervision is ESSENTIAL for proper "Socialization" of Human Children--at LEAST for the first 6-10 years of Their Lives.

I believe our "Birth Rate" is down because we instinctively understand that we CANNOT PRODUCE "Human Beings" unless we have AT LEAST one Parent supervising & "Civilizing" the SAVAGES we produce as "Children" for the first ~ decade of Their lives!

[Antoninus]

Unfortunately, having kids isn't a guarantee that they will be there for you in your dotage, either. I think it ups your odds, but by no means assures there will be someone to visit.

Having two kids is no guarantee. Having 6 is practically a guarantee, particularly if you instill in them a deep sense of familial piety.

As for myself, I'm planning on cash set aside, good friends, and a Smith & Wesson for when it gets really bad ;)

You're joking about the S&W, but you've accidentally put your finger on the nihilism that underlies a lot of the "modern" attitude. There are plenty of people I know who would say what you just did and NOT joke about it.

Find a good, decent, loving man (not a selfish bozo), settle down, raise some kids. You'll never regret it for a second. Save the S&W to go shooting with your husband after the kids have all flown the coop.

[7DayRepo]

Why do you say you're being superficial? You're perfectly entitled to select the criteria for your own mate.

[Antoninus]

And a love of good food!

After I-talian food, Mexican food is my favorite. I've had the real thing in Mexico City, and reasonable facsimiles many times in Texas. That's my favorite part of visiting San Antonio.

Thanks, now I really need a burrito...

[MrNatural]

..abortion only accounted for the resolution of 25% of pregnancies..

"resolution".Nice euphemism.

[NMC EXP]

This is happening in most western, industrialized countries.

The cause? It is a result of creeping socialism and the decline of the culture.

Not surprisingly, this trend showed up first in Scandanavia.

[Antoninus]

Well, this is me being very superficial...but I am pretty much intent on someone with DARK brown eyes and DARK brown hair. Asian or Latina woman, most likely.

Hey, if you're a devout Catholic, you've got a real shot...

[MinorityRepublican]

Uh, you're wrong, this will just give the 'immigration uber alles' folks more ammo.

Under Bush adminstration, it is unlikely that there will be any significant reforms but in the next decade or so, there will be an outcry from the American public to reform immigration due to our decline of the dollar with increased foreign competition (e.g. offsourcing of IT jobs to India, etc.)

In other words, we will no longer be able to absorb as many immigrants in our economy as we were doing for the past 20 years.