The focus on birth rates diverts attention from the more pressing issue of climate change, which is exacerbated by AI development and often overlooked in.
About Family Inequality
The Definitive US Baby Name Popularity and Androgyny Update for 2025
The latest U.S. baby name data reveals shifting trends in popularity, rising gender-neutral naming, and changing cultural patterns.
The latest U.S. baby name data reveals shifting trends in popularity, rising gender-neutral naming, and changing cultural patterns.
Pronatalism Is Not Sending Their Best
Trump and the MAGA movement are not serious about pronatalism any more than they are about any real domestic policy issue except cutting taxes and regulations (and things that help do that).
Trump and the MAGA movement are not serious about pronatalism any more than they are about any real domestic policy issue except cutting taxes and regulations (and things that help do that).
Stephanie Coontz Brings It Home With “For Better and Worse”
A reflection on Stephanie Coontz’s "For Better and Worse", exploring how history, gender, and nostalgia shape modern family life.
A reflection on Stephanie Coontz’s For Better and Worse, exploring how history, gender, and nostalgia shape modern family life.
Which Jobs Make a Meaningful Contribution to the World?
Take the survey. It's fun.
Take the survey. It’s fun.
Most Americans Who Aren’t Having Children Don’t Want to (And Not Because of the Environment)
In the survey, they gave people 10 possible reasons, and asked if each was a major reason, a minor reason, or not a reason that they didn’t have children, and/or were unlikely to.
In the survey, they gave people 10 possible reasons, and asked if each was a major reason, a minor reason, or not a reason that they didn’t have children, and/or were unlikely to.
Stopping Rules Don’t Affect the Population’s Sex Ratio at Birth
What if everyone has babies until they get a boy? A lot changes, but the overall sex ratio doesn't.
What if everyone has babies until they get a boy? A lot changes, but the overall sex ratio doesn’t.
Ideal (Family Size) Compared to What?
One thing the discussion brought up was the issue of whether you can have “a family” with zero children — which might influence how people answer the question.
One thing the discussion brought up was the issue of whether you can have “a family” with zero children — which might influence how people answer the question.
Child Poverty in 2024 Was a $62 Billion Problem
Last year, child poverty in the United States was a $62 billion problem. Is that a lot?
Last year, child poverty in the United States was a $62 billion problem. Is that a lot?
Four Variables About That Say a Lot About the USA Today (Name the Scale)
Both stories reflect the fact that these four variables are correlated, but they sequence the scenarios differently.
Both stories reflect the fact that these four variables are correlated, but they sequence the scenarios differently.
War on Science, Douthat Credulity Edition
That’s ridiculous, but more important it has nothing to do with the administration’s war on science, and the scientific community, especially in universities and the interface between universities and the government.
That’s ridiculous, but more important it has nothing to do with the administration’s war on science, and the scientific community, especially in universities and the interface between universities and the government.
America Is Overdue for a General Strike
Workers have the power to bring the whole economy to a halt. Will they use it?
Workers have the power to bring the whole economy to a halt. Will they use it?
Negative Perception of Falling Birth Rates in the U.S. Is Associated With Right-Wing People and Beliefs
A year ago the Pew Research Center published, “What do Americans think about fewer people choosing to have children?”
A year ago the Pew Research Center published, “What do Americans think about fewer people choosing to have children?”
Data Viz: Who Thinks It’s Bad if Americans Have Fewer Children?
Conservatives, religious people, old people, men, and married people are most likely to think falling birth rates are bad.
Conservatives, religious people, old people, men, and married people are most likely to think falling birth rates are bad.
Reproductive Agency and the Power to Not Have a Child
Consider this quote from the report, from an interview with a 29-year-old woman in Zambia
Consider this quote from the report, from an interview with a 29-year-old woman in Zambia
Fertility Trends, Inequality, and Economic Growth Doodles
Since 1980 overall, fertility and income inequality have been positively correlated. The relationship is weakest in rich countries.
Since 1980 overall, fertility and income inequality have been positively correlated. The relationship is weakest in rich countries.