Glenn Reynolds Article on the Decline of Families

Home > Population, Quotes

Glenn Reynolds Article on the Decline of Families

Wednesday, May 17th, 2006 | Population, Quotes |

Great article on the reasons for the decline in families, and the diminishing financial and social rewards of parenting. I loved this bit about the minivan.

People in the suburbs buy SUVs instead of minivans not because they need the four-wheel-drive capabilities, but because the SUVs lack the minivan’s close association with low-prestige activities like parenting, and instead provide the aura of high-prestige activities like whitewater kayaking. Why should kayaking be more prestigious than parenting? Because parenting isn’t prestigious in our society. If it were, childless people would drive minivans just to partake of the aura.

No comments yet.