Early family formation is the human norm; why have we made it so exceptional?

[lennypartiv]

Yes, there is a major downside. Population replenishment suffers with fewer children.

Exactly. China is now realizing this. They and other countries will need to give financial incentives to young couples to get them to breed.

 

[initforme]

Breeding is necessary for a nations survival. Without breeding, how do you fill all the jobs? Without breeding, how do you staff an army?

Breeding is NOT a duty. Have kids if you WANT them not because a few people think it's your duty. Because it's nobody's responsibility to have them to fill a lousy job.

 

[Harpy Eagle]

Breeding is necessary for a nations survival. Without breeding, how do you fill all the jobs? Without breeding, how do you staff an army?

And lots of people are breeding, in fact most people are. It is ok if a few people choose not to. There will still be enough people to protect you.

 

[lennypartiv]

And lots of people are breeding, in fact most people are. It is ok if a few people choose not to. There will still be enough people to protect you.

The lower birth rate is affecting the army in China. It will catch up to us too.

---
While better salaries and living conditions are important to attracted and retain top personnel for the PLA, there are problems that cannot be addressed by dishing out cash and producing TV series with handsome actors playing PLA officers. China’s aging population and its one-child policy will pose a serious challenge for the PLA in coming years.

The one-child policy has created a situation in which one child has to look after two parents. As a result many families are reluctant to see their children follow a military career. According to a 2020 census the fertility rate in China was 1.3 children per woman. This is well below the 2.1 children per woman rate necessary to prevent population decline. Fewer children simply means fewer soldiers and officers.

As China’s population ages the ratio of retirees to working people increases. In 2016 China had 16 retirees per 100 working people. Based on current projections by 2050 China will have 64 retirees per 100 working persons. Although Beijing has relaxed the one-child policy, it will take years to reverse its effects.---

https://www.rsis.edu.sg/rsis-publication/rsis/chinas-military-modernisation-constrained-by-one-child-policy/?doing_wp_cron=1685148305.7588050365447998046875