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Modern Wisdom

Modern Wisdom

Birth Rate Debate: “40% Of Girls Will Never Be Mothers” - #1099

Modern Wisdom · May 18, 2026 · 3:44:00

0:003:44:00

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In this birth rate debate, we explore:

- The cataclysmic impacts of the current birth rates for future generations.

- Why so many young women are opting out of motherhood.

- What can be done to fix declining birth rates globally.

- and much more...
Guests:

- Lyman Stone is a demographer, researcher, and a writer.

- Simone Collins is an author and pronatalist advocate focused on fertility and demographic decline.

- Stephen J. Shaw is a data scientist and filmmaker.

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Timestamps:

(0:00) Why We Should Be Worried About Birth Rate Decline
(5:20) The Shocking Reality of Falling Fertility
(8:12) What Happens If the Population Shrinks?
(17:40) Is Low Fertility a Threat to the Economy?
(25:39) Why Are Birth Rate Debates So Controversial?
(38:46) Is Having Kids Too Expensive Now?
(51:45) Why People Are Delaying Parenthood
(58:41) Would Marrying Younger Fix the Problem?
(01:01:45) Do Kids Actually Make You Happier?
(01:12:14) Does Age Predict Fertility Levels?
(01:18:34) The Hidden Risks of Selection Pressure
(01:27:52) How Does Education Impact Birth Rates?
(01:35:05) Do Men Want Families More Than Women Now?
(01:38:59) Are We Choosing Travel Over Children?
(01:45:06) Do You Lose Yourself When You Have Kids?
(02:07:20) Should Mothers Get Free Education?
(02:10:20) Are Women Being Blamed for Declining Birth Rates?
(02:20:51) Why Is Everyone So Offended?
(02:29:51) Should Fathers Be Doing More at Home?
(02:39:41) Birth Rates vs Climate Change: What Matters More?
(02:46:29) Should Governments Pay People to Have Kids?
(02:57:48) Are Families Getting Smaller?
(03:07:50) Are Tax Policies Punishing the Child-Free?
(03:12:51) Is Education the Answer?
(03:19:36) The Most Shocking Birth Rate Facts
(03:26:47) Does Contraception Actually Affect Birth Rates?
(03:34:46) Will This Change Your Mind?

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