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The change has been stronger in the US than in Europe. While having kids is also a net economic loss in Europe, European countries tend to spend more public mon
by jltsiren 5y ago
The change has been stronger in the US than in Europe. While having kids is also a net economic loss in Europe, European countries tend to spend more public money on funding things like parental leaves, childcare, and education. I don't know if that has any significant effect on birth rates.
Socialized gains apply to the entire economic contribution of the child, not only to the part that is paid as taxes. Your private retirement savings are worth something only because other people continue working and producing things.
- dragonwriter 5y ago> European countries tend to spend more public money on funding things like parental leaves, childcare, and education. I don't know if that has any significant effect on birth rates. Yes, stronger social support networks consistently produce lower birthrates. A reason which has been suggested for this is that without such programs, children serve as a kind of safety net, in that familial bonds mean that a sufficient number of them means the parents (and siblings) are more likely to have support if they become unable to support themselves or have temporarily greater support needs. Where there is a strong public support system, this is less necessary.