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I'd wager entertainment and advertising plays a large part in it as well. Educated people see the folly in shows like the Kardashians, daytime soap operas and a

I'd wager entertainment and advertising plays a large part in it as well. Educated people see the folly in shows like the Kardashians, daytime soap operas and ads showing material wealth as virtuous and something to aspire to. Less critical thinkers lap that stuff up and misinterpret the source of happiness and contentment. TV shows can create toxic expectations that can't be practically met by everyone, and for many people these shows have replaced community culture and personal belief systems. The culture of material expectation could help explain the difference between Canada and the US when it comes to relationship stability and partner selection. Obviously better social welfare in Canada/West Europe is a massive driver, but it would still need to be paired with a culture where the stigma of poverty isn't as great and material wealth isn't as coveted.

compiler-guy 9y ago
There is remarkable data showing that the television show "Sixteen and Pregnant" reduces teen pregnancy rates in locations where it is shown. This would tend to support your hypothesis. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2014/04/09/how-mtvs-16-and-pregnant-led-to-declining-teen-birth-rates/?utm_term=.523213462be8 https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/w...
- KekDemaga 9y ago
  Looks like the result was more positive than that though I'm curious how they came to the final conclusion: "Using data from Google Trends, Twitter, Nielsen ratings and Vital Statistics birth data, Professors Kearney and Levine found that teens who watch “16 and Pregnant” immediately go online to search for (and tweet about) birth control and abortion. Through some very impressive and fascinating dot-connecting, Kearney and Levine found that “16 and Pregnant” led to a 5.7% reduction in teen births — a percentage that accounts for one-third of the total decline in teen births: 20,000 fewer teen births a year."
- alasdair_ 9y ago
  I'm almost certain that this was the initial effect, but later seasons (where every one of the cast members are reasonably wealthy due to cash from MTV) had the opposite effect. I can o ly find 2014 data right now rhough. Relatedly, "baby simulators" lead to an increase in teen pregnancy -https://www.statnews.com/2016/08/25/infant-simulators-teen-pregnancy/ https://www.statnews.com/2016/08/25/infant-simulators-teen-p...
  - trprog 9y ago
    >teenagers are handed an electronic doll to care for for a day or two Not surprised this had the opposite effect. It completely misses what is, in my opinion, one of the most dramatic aspects of being a parent. It doesn't end until you die. Many parents have a baby that destroys the parent's sleep schedule for so long that it feels like it will never end. Then there is worrying about your child reaching important feeling development milestones, worrying about your child's ability to make friends and to survive bullies, where will they go to school? "how can those shoes be too small? We just bought them!" etc etc. A child is a never ending stream of things to worry about. Any bozo who has been provided with the most basic baby care instruction can take care of a baby for 48 hours. Simply knowing that there is a fixed period in time at which it is over makes it manageable.
abrichr 9y ago
> ...the difference between Canada and the US when it comes to relationship stability and partner selection. I've never heard of such a thing, and a Google search for the phrase was unsuccessful. If you have a source I'd be interested to read more!
- icanhackit 9y ago
  I was going by what was suggested in the featured article, and my thoughts on the matter are nothing more than conjecture based on what was implied: Americans tend to place great importance on both marriage and personal autonomy, which is reflected in their very high marriage and divorce rates (higher than in other advanced industrialized countries, including Canada) Relevant link embedded in the quoted text: https://unstats.un.org/unsd/demographic/products/dyb/dyb2012/Table24.pdf https://unstats.un.org/unsd/demographic/products/dyb/dyb2012...
sven2- 9y ago
>these shows have replaced community culture and personal belief systems. This can be said of the whole internet in its current state as attention sinkhole. And its highly misguided to think critical thinking abilities have anything to do with taking advantage of ppls weaknesses. Obama, the iPhone, Game of Thrones and Star Wars are using the same mechanics that the Kardashians or Trump are - if you want ppls attention rich/poor/illiterate/educated/religious whatever - you follow the same rule - given them what they want.

compiler-guy 9y ago

There is remarkable data showing that the television show "Sixteen and Pregnant" reduces teen pregnancy rates in locations where it is shown. This would tend to support your hypothesis. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2014/04/09/how-mtvs-16-and-pregnant-led-to-declining-teen-birth-rates/?utm_term=.523213462be8 https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/w...

KekDemaga 9y ago
Looks like the result was more positive than that though I'm curious how they came to the final conclusion: "Using data from Google Trends, Twitter, Nielsen ratings and Vital Statistics birth data, Professors Kearney and Levine found that teens who watch “16 and Pregnant” immediately go online to search for (and tweet about) birth control and abortion. Through some very impressive and fascinating dot-connecting, Kearney and Levine found that “16 and Pregnant” led to a 5.7% reduction in teen births — a percentage that accounts for one-third of the total decline in teen births: 20,000 fewer teen births a year."
alasdair_ 9y ago
I'm almost certain that this was the initial effect, but later seasons (where every one of the cast members are reasonably wealthy due to cash from MTV) had the opposite effect. I can o ly find 2014 data right now rhough. Relatedly, "baby simulators" lead to an increase in teen pregnancy -https://www.statnews.com/2016/08/25/infant-simulators-teen-pregnancy/ https://www.statnews.com/2016/08/25/infant-simulators-teen-p...
- trprog 9y ago
  >teenagers are handed an electronic doll to care for for a day or two Not surprised this had the opposite effect. It completely misses what is, in my opinion, one of the most dramatic aspects of being a parent. It doesn't end until you die. Many parents have a baby that destroys the parent's sleep schedule for so long that it feels like it will never end. Then there is worrying about your child reaching important feeling development milestones, worrying about your child's ability to make friends and to survive bullies, where will they go to school? "how can those shoes be too small? We just bought them!" etc etc. A child is a never ending stream of things to worry about. Any bozo who has been provided with the most basic baby care instruction can take care of a baby for 48 hours. Simply knowing that there is a fixed period in time at which it is over makes it manageable.

abrichr 9y ago

> ...the difference between Canada and the US when it comes to relationship stability and partner selection. I've never heard of such a thing, and a Google search for the phrase was unsuccessful. If you have a source I'd be interested to read more!

icanhackit 9y ago
I was going by what was suggested in the featured article, and my thoughts on the matter are nothing more than conjecture based on what was implied: Americans tend to place great importance on both marriage and personal autonomy, which is reflected in their very high marriage and divorce rates (higher than in other advanced industrialized countries, including Canada) Relevant link embedded in the quoted text: https://unstats.un.org/unsd/demographic/products/dyb/dyb2012/Table24.pdf https://unstats.un.org/unsd/demographic/products/dyb/dyb2012...

sven2- 9y ago

>these shows have replaced community culture and personal belief systems. This can be said of the whole internet in its current state as attention sinkhole. And its highly misguided to think critical thinking abilities have anything to do with taking advantage of ppls weaknesses. Obama, the iPhone, Game of Thrones and Star Wars are using the same mechanics that the Kardashians or Trump are - if you want ppls attention rich/poor/illiterate/educated/religious whatever - you follow the same rule - given them what they want.