As a father of three, I find it deeply concerning to witness the low birth rates across the globe.

It seems that the birth rate decline can be attributed strongly to the increased access to education for women.

While education is important, it has inadvertently affected birth rates. As women have gained access to education and pursued their careers, the focus on family and child-rearing has shifted.

I'm very much pro education for women, so this is a puzzling finding for me on a philosophical level.

In the past, women lived in close-knit communities where they shared household responsibilities, including childcare. They had a support system of fellow mothers and a sense of camaraderie as they undertook tasks together, such as fetching water from the well. This communal aspect created a tight bond and provided a purpose beyond individual aspirations.

However, in today's fast-paced and urbanized society, this sense of community is often lost. People living in cities are disconnected from such close-knit communities, and the support network that once existed has dwindled. As a result, women feel alone, lacking the emotional and practical support that can make a significant difference in their decisions regarding family size.

If we were to create areas exclusively for families outside the cities, women would have the opportunity to experience the historical support and bond of a close-knit community.

This would alleviate some of the pressures and challenges associated with motherhood, allowing families to thrive.

• Here is a study on the topic: https://blogs.worldbank.org/en/health/female-education-and-childbearing-closer-look-data

• This also shows the same:

  
  

  https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/womens-educational-attainment-vs-fertility

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What is your take on the issue of low birth rate? Join in the conversation and share your voice. This discussion is open until June 2nd, 2024.