3 ms·

Anecdotal observation / hypothesis: - there's an inverse relationship between quality of life and density, even within individual households - there's a highe

Anecdotal observation / hypothesis: - there's an inverse relationship between quality of life and density, even within individual households - there's a higher premium on space in urbanized areas than in rural areas - there's been a move towards urbanization across the world, high HDI, low HDI, high religion, low religion I propose something similar to Parkinson's Law: Average family size expands (or contracts) to fill the physical space that is economically viable for a given individual/family. Rationally, this couldn't be the only factor, given density and urbanization patterns predate the more rapid fertility decline in recent decades, but as one more factor on top of a pile of others that may also be contributing to the trend, I think it could plausibly play a contributing role in the decline. Thoughts?

bombcar 1y ago
I think it matters in how you define quality of life, for one. Take a family of five kids and give them a bedroom for each kid when young and they’ll end up clustering in one or two. I think space and other pressures may have their place as causes, but are mostly downstream from whatever the root issues are.
- anonym29 1y ago
  >Take a family of five kids and give them a bedroom for each kid when young and they’ll end up clustering in one or two. Do you have anecdata on this? I grew up with a single sibling, and we had to share a room as young children due to economic circumstances, but we were both very excited to get our own rooms when our parents bought a larger house. I have no kids of my own and don't plan on having any, but I'm fascinated by this perspective.
  - bombcar 1y ago
    My experiences is that below the age of six, they ALL want to cluster together. Above six it starts to sex-segregate naturally, and around teen years the desire for their own space soars. But even then they often want congregation, but the ability to retreat. I sometimes think the perfect “large family” house would be tons of tiny bedrooms but lots of common areas. Almost college dorm-like. Another anectdata - I’ve never met a family with same-sex twins where the twins did NOT live in the same room, even when there was ample space to not do so. I presume the triplet case is even stronger.
  - mensetmanusman 1y ago
    I have 8 kids, they cluster at night, sing to each other, recite poetry, and talk late into the night. It’s more similar to how families slept for millennia.
    - getajob1160 1y ago
      sounds like a potentially abusive situation.

bombcar 1y ago

I think it matters in how you define quality of life, for one. Take a family of five kids and give them a bedroom for each kid when young and they’ll end up clustering in one or two. I think space and other pressures may have their place as causes, but are mostly downstream from whatever the root issues are.

anonym29 1y ago
>Take a family of five kids and give them a bedroom for each kid when young and they’ll end up clustering in one or two. Do you have anecdata on this? I grew up with a single sibling, and we had to share a room as young children due to economic circumstances, but we were both very excited to get our own rooms when our parents bought a larger house. I have no kids of my own and don't plan on having any, but I'm fascinated by this perspective.
- bombcar 1y ago
  My experiences is that below the age of six, they ALL want to cluster together. Above six it starts to sex-segregate naturally, and around teen years the desire for their own space soars. But even then they often want congregation, but the ability to retreat. I sometimes think the perfect “large family” house would be tons of tiny bedrooms but lots of common areas. Almost college dorm-like. Another anectdata - I’ve never met a family with same-sex twins where the twins did NOT live in the same room, even when there was ample space to not do so. I presume the triplet case is even stronger.
- mensetmanusman 1y ago
  I have 8 kids, they cluster at night, sing to each other, recite poetry, and talk late into the night. It’s more similar to how families slept for millennia.
  - getajob1160 1y ago
    sounds like a potentially abusive situation.