1/n
The decline of America in my lifetime.
The U.S. birthrate fell again in 2018, to 3,788,235 births — ...It's the lowest number of births in 32 years, according to a new federal report. The numbers also sank the U.S. fertility rate to a record low.
npr.org/2019/05/15/723…
The decline of America in my lifetime.
The U.S. birthrate fell again in 2018, to 3,788,235 births — ...It's the lowest number of births in 32 years, according to a new federal report. The numbers also sank the U.S. fertility rate to a record low.
npr.org/2019/05/15/723…
2/n
A nation cannot survive without a new generation.
"it's an ongoing slump: 2018 was the fourth consecutive year of birth declines..."
A nation cannot survive without a new generation.
"it's an ongoing slump: 2018 was the fourth consecutive year of birth declines..."
3/n
Importing a new population is not working.
"Birthrates fell for nearly all racial and age groups, with only slight gains for women in their late 30s and early 40s, the CDC says."
Importing a new population is not working.
"Birthrates fell for nearly all racial and age groups, with only slight gains for women in their late 30s and early 40s, the CDC says."
4/n
Pushing women into careers is not working.
"While women in their 20s have historically given birth to the most babies in the U.S., women in their early 30s had a higher birthrate in 2017, for the first time ever. And that gap widened in 2018."
Pushing women into careers is not working.
"While women in their 20s have historically given birth to the most babies in the U.S., women in their early 30s had a higher birthrate in 2017, for the first time ever. And that gap widened in 2018."
5/n
We need social and political policies that encourage creation of families instead of careers or sleeping around. Outlaw porn, tax incentives for families, etc.
We need social and political policies that encourage creation of families instead of careers or sleeping around. Outlaw porn, tax incentives for families, etc.
6/n
But more is needed.
"The news has come as something of a surprise to demographers who say that with the U.S. economy and job market continuing a years-long growth streak, they had expected the birthrate to show signs of stabilizing, or even rising."
But more is needed.
"The news has come as something of a surprise to demographers who say that with the U.S. economy and job market continuing a years-long growth streak, they had expected the birthrate to show signs of stabilizing, or even rising."
7/n
Young people are fearful of their economic future.
"The birthrate is a barometer of despair," Myers says in response to the CDC data. Explaining that idea, he says young people won't make plans to have babies unless they're optimistic about the future.
Young people are fearful of their economic future.
"The birthrate is a barometer of despair," Myers says in response to the CDC data. Explaining that idea, he says young people won't make plans to have babies unless they're optimistic about the future.
8/n
Society does not make it easy with careerism or Hollywood's baleful influence. Too many businesses are not family-friendly.
"Parents know why the birthrate is falling. Kids are expensive & time-consuming & our society doesn't make it easy."
Society does not make it easy with careerism or Hollywood's baleful influence. Too many businesses are not family-friendly.
"Parents know why the birthrate is falling. Kids are expensive & time-consuming & our society doesn't make it easy."
9/n
Companies break 5th Commandment by not taking care of workers.
"From January 2009 to December 2017..more jobs..lost during the Great Recession...though the unemployment rate is better, companies are still using layoffs to maintain profits at the expense of their workers."
Companies break 5th Commandment by not taking care of workers.
"From January 2009 to December 2017..more jobs..lost during the Great Recession...though the unemployment rate is better, companies are still using layoffs to maintain profits at the expense of their workers."
10/n
In the 80s is took 32 weeks or so to support a family of 4. Now it takes 52 weeks.
"workers' paychecks haven't been growing at the same pace....some workers have resigned themselves to the possibility that they might not find stable jobs again.
In the 80s is took 32 weeks or so to support a family of 4. Now it takes 52 weeks.
"workers' paychecks haven't been growing at the same pace....some workers have resigned themselves to the possibility that they might not find stable jobs again.
12/n
Politicians used to believe this. Today, both parties are beholden to Big Business and care little for most workers.
buzzfeednews.com/article/jessic…
Politicians used to believe this. Today, both parties are beholden to Big Business and care little for most workers.
buzzfeednews.com/article/jessic…
13/n
But Big Eva does not talk about this. Nor do many Churches thinking that they must avoid making economic or political policy. They are not wrong...
But Big Eva does not talk about this. Nor do many Churches thinking that they must avoid making economic or political policy. They are not wrong...
14/n
But not fully right. Churches only need to point to the goals/ends of God's moral law: love neighbor. Undue delay of marriage, exporting jobs, careerism, etc. = love?
But not fully right. Churches only need to point to the goals/ends of God's moral law: love neighbor. Undue delay of marriage, exporting jobs, careerism, etc. = love?
15/n
God's law gives love content. Start w/ Westminster Larger Catechism.
8th Commandment is a good place to start:
"endeavor, by all just and lawful means, to procure, preserve, and further the wealth and outward estate of others, as well as our own."
opc.org/documents/LCLa…
God's law gives love content. Start w/ Westminster Larger Catechism.
8th Commandment is a good place to start:
"endeavor, by all just and lawful means, to procure, preserve, and further the wealth and outward estate of others, as well as our own."
opc.org/documents/LCLa…
@threadreaderapp unroll please
