Will Alex Berenson’s Baby Bust Writing Gain Credibility?
When I became a pediatrician, my goal was to help parents care for their sick children. Little did I know that I would spend a significant amount of time teaching adults how to use a diaper. But with fewer people having children, it’s becoming more common for adults in their 30s to encounter their first baby up close when it’s their own.
What used to be the stuff of ’80s comedies about clueless single men or frigid career women is now the reality for a small number of children who escape the infertility-spreading medical establishment. These kids face numerous challenges, including fewer friends, siblings, and child-friendly spaces. And if current birth rate trends continue, they may even face the potential collapse of civilization as we know it.
Last week, Alex Berenson, a former New York Times reporter and award-winning novelist, wrote the first in a series about declining birth rates worldwide. He believes that the future of humanity is at stake. Berenson’s interest in the topic was sparked by concerns about the effects of the Covid mRNA vaccine on fertility. However, he sees this issue as something much bigger than divisive debates about immigration or vaccines. It’s about humanity’s faith in itself.
Demographers and pundits have been warning about this crisis for decades, and now it’s finally here. Mark Steyn’s bestselling book, “America Alone,” highlighted the declining birth rate nearly 20 years ago. When Christopher Hitchens asked then-UK Prime Minister Tony Blair about Steyn’s warnings, Blair acknowledged that it was part of the conversation among world leaders, albeit a subterranean one.
So why isn’t this existential crisis receiving the same level of attention as other crises? Jordan Peterson, in a discussion with feminist Camille Paglia, pointed to the chaos of the sexual revolution as a major factor. According to Paglia, it has become taboo for women to prioritize motherhood over their careers due to the influence of feminism, which has championed abortion and downplayed the importance of being a mother.
These topics remain off-limits as long as feminists and their allies control the cultural conversation. Brad Wilcox, a defender of marriage and the family, echoes Paglia’s assessment, stating that too many liberals have bought into the false narrative that happiness lies in independence, freedom, and work, rather than in marriage and family life.
The problem facing liberals, then, is that too many of them have embraced the false narrative that the path to happiness runs counter to marriage and family life, not towards it. They think independence, freedom and work will make them happy, which is why significant portions of the popular media are filled these days with stories celebrating divorce and singleness. […] The secret to happiness, for most men and women, involves marriage and a life based around the family.
It seems that our joy and the survival of our civilization’s demographics are being held hostage by a false narrative perpetuated by misguided ideologues. This narrative, though untrue, is fiercely defended.
Berenson, in his pursuit of important stories that are overlooked by the mainstream media, believes that the declining birth rate is a global crisis. He points out that East Asian countries like Japan and South Korea are particularly affected, as they have low birth rates and minimal immigration to replace their aging populations.
Reflecting on a wedding he didn’t attend because children were not welcome, Berenson realized the bleak reality of our demographic decline. Child-free weddings are becoming increasingly popular, emphasizing the bride’s desire for an uninterrupted celebration. However, a wedding is not just an extravagant party; it’s a celebration of the birth of a new family and the hope for future generations.
Secularism is a significant factor contributing to the decline in birth rates, as Dennis Prager explains in his commentary on Genesis. Without prayer or a belief in a higher power, many people prioritize their own desires over the responsibility of raising children. The world we now inhabit is one where Edmund Spenser’s fervent prayer for a large posterity would be seen as outdated.
As the saying goes, the future belongs to those who show up. It remains uncertain who will inherit the lands when our society has fewer and fewer children. But one thing is for sure: they will know how to change diapers.
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What are the potential consequences of declining birth rates on the economy, healthcare system, and social structure?
Declining birth rates.
But the reality is that our society cannot thrive without a healthy birth rate. As Berenson points out, declining birth rates have serious consequences for the economy, healthcare system, and social structure. With fewer children being born, there will be fewer future workers to support an aging population. This will put strain on social security systems and healthcare resources. Additionally, a decline in the number of children means fewer opportunities for social interaction and development, leading to a potential collapse of civilization as we know it.
It’s time to address this issue head-on and start prioritizing the importance of family life and parenthood. We need to create a culture that values and supports parents in raising their children. This means providing affordable childcare options, paid parental leave, and flexible work arrangements. It also means challenging the prevailing narrative that happiness lies solely in independence and career success.
Feminism has made great strides in advancing women’s rights and opportunities in the workforce. However, it’s important to recognize that prioritizing career over motherhood should be a personal choice, not a societal expectation. Women should be able to pursue both if they so desire, without feeling guilty or pressured to sacrifice one for the other.
It’s also crucial to address the underlying factors that contribute to declining birth rates. Economic uncertainty, rising costs of living, and the burden of student loan debt all make it more difficult for young adults to start families. By advocating for policies that promote economic stability and alleviate financial burdens, we can create an environment that is conducive to parenthood.
The decline in birth rates is a complex issue that requires a multi-faceted approach. It’s not enough to simply acknowledge the problem; we must take action to reverse this trend. Our future depends on it.
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