3 ms·

> If at some point we see a need to create more incentives for people to reproduce, that sounds fime to me. But lots of evidence shows this doesn't work becaus

by aprilthird2021 3y ago

> If at some point we see a need to create more incentives for people to reproduce, that sounds fime to me. But lots of evidence shows this doesn't work because no amount of incentives changes the fact that having a kid is a sacrifice. People need a reason to make such a sacrifice. And the decline of religion, nationalism, etc. with the rise in isolation, individualism, cosmopolitanism, etc. gives people few reasons to sacrifice for the future in the form of bearing children. Not that any of those things are bad or good, but they are the declining and rising trends in the world. In fact, I'd argue as nationalism rises in the rich European countries this study profiled, so too do you see birth rates slightly rise

slfnflctd 3y ago
> no amount of incentives changes the fact that having a kid is a sacrifice My thought here is that the types of incentive(s) matter more than the amount. > I'd argue as nationalism rises in the rich European countries this study profiled, so too do you see birth rates slightly rise This to me simply describes another type of incentive (albeit an incredibly challenging one to implement intentionally or well). It may be more abstract/fuzzy/undefinable but that's still what it is. This example brings to mind concepts of culture, community, a stronger sense of social trust, and an expectation of support/assistance more aligned with the parents' values in raising a child. Now, all we have to do is come up with a form of 'nationalism' which works nearly anywhere but has fewer downsides... which is, of course, a difficult and unsolved problem.
- aprilthird2021 3y ago
  Insofar as one's beliefs about sacrificing for the greater good being an incentive, yes, it's all about aligning incentives. But having a child isn't seen as a responsibility one has to one's own parents, who sacrificed to have them, or a responsibility to one's people, culture, or religion anymore. That's the ultimate root of all these problems. People now get to choose whether or not to have a kid, and not everything people choose is good for society.

slfnflctd 3y ago

> no amount of incentives changes the fact that having a kid is a sacrifice My thought here is that the types of incentive(s) matter more than the amount. > I'd argue as nationalism rises in the rich European countries this study profiled, so too do you see birth rates slightly rise This to me simply describes another type of incentive (albeit an incredibly challenging one to implement intentionally or well). It may be more abstract/fuzzy/undefinable but that's still what it is. This example brings to mind concepts of culture, community, a stronger sense of social trust, and an expectation of support/assistance more aligned with the parents' values in raising a child. Now, all we have to do is come up with a form of 'nationalism' which works nearly anywhere but has fewer downsides... which is, of course, a difficult and unsolved problem.

aprilthird2021 3y ago
Insofar as one's beliefs about sacrificing for the greater good being an incentive, yes, it's all about aligning incentives. But having a child isn't seen as a responsibility one has to one's own parents, who sacrificed to have them, or a responsibility to one's people, culture, or religion anymore. That's the ultimate root of all these problems. People now get to choose whether or not to have a kid, and not everything people choose is good for society.