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Anti-natalists: The people who want you to stop having babies
They believe humans shouldn't have children. Who are the anti-natalists - and how far are they willing to push their ideas?
"Wouldn't it just be better to blow a hole in the side of the earth and just have done with everything?" Thomas, 29, lives in the east of England, and although his idea of blowing up the world is something of a thought experiment, he is certain about one thing - humans should not have babies, and our species should gradually go extinct.
It's a philosophy called anti-natalism. While the idea dates back to ancient Greece, it has recently been given a huge boost by social media. On Facebook and Reddit, there are dozens of anti-natalist groups, some with thousands of members. On Reddit, r/antinatalism has nearly 35,000 members, while just one of the dozens of Facebook groups with an anti-natalist theme has more than 6,000.
They are scattered around the world and have a variety of reasons for their beliefs. Among them are concerns about genetic inheritance, not wanting children to suffer, the concept of consent, and worries about overpopulation and the environment. But they are united in their desire to stop human procreation. And although they are a fringe movement, some of their views, particularly on the state of the earth, are increasingly creeping into mainstream discussion. While not an anti-natalist, the Duke of Sussex recently said he and his wife were planning to have a maximum of two children, because of environmental concerns.
(Score: 1, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday August 14 2019, @05:24AM (1 child)
Doubt it. You don't have to give the phenomenon a name or theme song, but people eventually will tend to do what makes economic sense. A hundred years ago, families were popping out kids annually. Not just because infant mortality was high, but because *somehow* things were going to work out.
That's not really true anymore - Children are a giant drag on the freedom and finances of parents. Not just from the kids' actions, but also government imposed restrictions and demands. Then once the kids are grown, will there be decent jobs for them?
As usual, the lower classes lag somewhat in picking up on the economics lesson. Take that fire last week in Erie: several kids were killed in a house that was being used as an overnight boarding house for children whose parents both worked the night shift. If husband and wife both had to work tough jobs to make ends meet, and pay $1600 per month or whatever for room and board for each kid, what were they thinking getting kids? They couldn't rationally afford them.
Now when there isn't such an oversupply of people anymore, meaning the economy will desire kids again, I guarantee that births will pick up to reach that equilibrium.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday August 14 2019, @09:45AM
OK, put you money where your mouth is: let me see your guarantee!