Commentary
One of the prevailing cultural mantras today is “you do you”—prioritizing personal desires over the greater good of society. This mindset promotes living selfishly rather than selflessly.
This philosophy’s impact on our society is particularly evident in the realms of marriage and family.
As the late James Q. Wilson, former Harvard University government professor, noted in his book “The Marriage Problem”: “It is not money, but the family that serves as the cornerstone of public life. As the family weakens, so do all other structures built upon it.”
While there have been numerous discussions on the “birth dearth” and its implications in recent years, the CBO’s report underscores the shift from a concern to a crisis, projecting significantly lower population growth over the next three decades.
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Although advancements in healthcare have led to longer life spans, boosting this ratio, the nation’s population growth rate stands at 0.2 percent, primarily driven by immigration rather than births. The CBO forecasts a fertility rate of around 1.70 percent, below the replacement threshold of 2.1.
While increased longevity is a contributing factor, it is just one piece of the puzzle. Various other factors are at play, with a significant one being the decline in marriage and family formation among Americans, or the postponement of these milestones to later stages of a woman’s prime childbearing years.
For instance, in 1970, married couples accounted for 71 percent of American households. By 2022, this figure had dropped to only 47 percent. In 1962, 90 percent of 30-year-olds were married, a percentage that fell to 51 percent in 2019.
Dr. Peter H. Schuck, emeritus professor at Yale Law School, aptly stated in his book “One Nation Undecided: Clear Thinking About Five Hard Issues That Divide Us”: “The family serves as the fundamental core of any society, and the consistent decline of two-parent households is arguably the most significant social trend of the past fifty years.”
Decisions to forgo marriage or parenthood are often driven by pursuits of “personal fulfillment,” such as wealth, travel, and career.
The repercussions are concerning—a rapidly growing elderly population relying on younger generations for care may find themselves in a vulnerable position, mirroring the tale of old Mother Hubbard with an empty cupboard.
Even individuals who opt out of marriage and parenthood express worries about their future without the familial and financial support typically provided by offspring or younger family members. This scenario could further strain government resources for the elderly.
This trend forms a dangerous cycle as the absence of marriages and children weakens the foundation of our nation. Remove too many bricks—families and children—and the entire structure crumbles.
So, what is the solution? Society must reemphasize the value of marriage and children, prioritizing sacrifice over personal ambition and family over individual autonomy. Without this shift from the current “you do you” mindset back to these foundational values, our “birth dearth” may ultimately lead to societal demise.
The views expressed in this article are solely the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
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