[apwell23]

> One of the reasons birthrates have plummeted in the West, and sentiments about having children have dropped, is that we have no "village", so to speak.

It probably true but even the well of who can afford to buy the village aren't having kids.

I think it has more to do with

1. cultural acceptance and lack of strict cultural pressure to have kids. Its unimaginable in India to not have kids by choice. Its not a choice at all unless you want to be pariah.

2. Availability of affordable widespread recreation that will keep you occupied. Affordability of lots of on demand TV, dining out, live music, internet, hobbies, travel ect.

[jebarker]

I also think we've become more self-obsessed and the idea that we might need to sacrifice time spent on ourselves scares us.