June 03, 2004
"Parasitic singles" and demographic nightmares
USA Today has an article about a growing problem in Japanese society, a problem that seems quite similar to things I complained about last year. In short: the transition of people my age from adolescence to adulthood just doesn't seem to be happening. People are staying single longer, taking their sweet old time starting careers, and having fewer and fewer children. Yes, there is value to be had in slowing down a bit and not thinking that these things are what make life worth living. But they do significantly make life possible. I fear that we are costing ourselves and especially our children any chance at the good life by a endemic unwillingness to do the things require to attain the good life.
I don't know what negative population growth says about a culture, but I can't believe it's healthy. It certainly isn't vital or vibrant.
I, of course, say this without the remote hope of settling down with anyone in the next decade, so it's not like I'm taking my own advice here. Don't think this doesn't bother me, because it does.
I married young... and always wanted children... it just never happened... but, fortunately... my sisters and brothers have happily shared theirs with me... I just love my nieces and nephews to pieces...
I don't have the same fears on this that you do. In fact, I think that at some point the resources of the environment get to a point where they can't handle the population explosion. Maybe our generation just intuitively understands this and has made a concerted, albeit unconcious effort to control the population. Similar to the mandatory Chinese population control measures.
On your point of not being able to give our children a chance at the good life, is it better to settle for the first spouse opportunity that comes along or should we look for the best fit or match? I believe the better the marriage, the better off the child will be. I think the bigger problem facing society now is the prevalence of divorce. I see people getting married as soon as possible and then leaving a child with only one parent. And speaking from experience, marriage and parenthood is hard enough with someone who is a good match for you. I say hold out for a good woman and don't worry about settling down for a while.
Posted by: ARoss at June 8, 2004 04:16 PMFor me, the issue is entirely moot. I'll "hold out" whether or not I choose to.
And while I do entirely agree that divorce is a major problem, I still can't think of any situation in which negative population growth is a good thing. I'd say that there is an intuitive, unconscious effort at large in our culture, but it is far more selfish than responsible. People are realizing that kids mean lack of freedom and major expenses. Children cramp one's style. And so more and more people are opting for no children, and the ones that do have kids have fewer.
Posted by: ryan at June 8, 2004 06:21 PMSo who's harmed by this?
Posted by: mesh at June 9, 2004 11:28 AM