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Politics : Politics for Pros- moderated
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To: LindyBill who wrote (254697)6/17/2008 3:21:11 AM
From: greenspirit  Read Replies (3) of 793755
 
Interesting to read all the models predicting birthrates have failed. I wonder if anyone has tried correlating the major transportation mechanism of the time with birthrate?

For instance; in much of Europe and the Far East cars hold four people. So, having more than 2 kids poses a challenge. In America, we've largely solved this problem with the explosion of mini-vans and SUV's, which typically carry 5-7 people. Problem is; what followed, the chicken or the egg.

That also brings up another interesting possibility. The high cost of energy or the taxation on energy, causes families to constantly look for ways of saving energy. So, they purchase small homes, small cars and small refrigerators. All impact the decisions on how many children a couple would desire.

What always struck me about traveling around Europe with three kids is how unfriendly the society was to kids. In many hotels you had to pay for each person to stay, regardless of whether they were children. That added tremendously to the cost. In the U.S. just about everywhere you go there is a family package when traveling with the kids. Our businesses have adapted to take advantage of handling more than 2 kids, without punishing the family financially. These kinds of costs can far exceed the few thousand dollars the government may doll out as incentives to have children.

We also have WalMart.

Interesingly, it appears to be hated by the left in America, but loved by those who have large families.
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