Youth Blog

Decreased birth rates were a big talking point at this past Commission on Population and Development. Decreased birth rates, also known as declining fertility rates, can have several negative impacts on a society. These impacts can be both economic and social, and they can have long-term consequences that may be difficult to reverse. 

At one of the side events that I went to, Mr. Juan Carlos Alfonso, Deputy Head of the National Statistical and Information Office, from Cuba boasted about how they have had “sexual and reproductive health and rights” in Cuba since the late 60’s. He later went on to talk about the declining birth rate in Cuba and that he did not know what was causing it, or how to fix it. According to the National Institue of Health, the birth rate in Cuba started to decrease in the late 60’s and early 70’s, right after abortion was legalized. I did not have the chance to ask him if he realizes legalizing abortion, something that intentionally kills an innocent child, is the main contributor to their decreasing birth rate. 

Since the early 70’s, the United Sates’s birth rate has been below replacement. What else significant happened in the US in the early 70’S? Roe V. Wade. Government officials and UN delegates cannot seem to find the correlation between killing children and decreasing birth rates. In a recent interview with Tucker Carlson, Elon Musk stated that he is worried about the possible collapse of society due to decreasing birth rates. Here is what he said:  

Tucker: “You think that we take our existence here for granted?”

Elon: “Yeah, yeah exactly ... That’s why I am concerned about decreasing birth rates. For example, Japan had twice as many deaths last year as births.”

Tucker: “Why is that? The urge to have sex and procreate is, after breathing and eating, the most basic urge. How has it been subverted?” 

Elon: “In the past we could rely upon simple limbic system rewards in order to procreate. But once you have birth control and abortions and whatnot, now you can satisfy the limbic instinct but not procreate. We haven’t yet evolved to deal with that. This is all fairly recent in the last 50 years or so before birth control. I’m sort of worried that if we don’t make enough people to sustain our numbers, perhaps increase a little bit, then civilization is going to crumble.”

One of the most significant negative impacts of decreased birth rates is that a lower birth rate can result in a shift in societal norms, such as a focus on individual achievement and smaller family sizes. It can also lead to changes in the traditional family structure and a decrease in the number of children available for adoption, which can be difficult for individuals and couples who want to adopt. 

Also, a lower birth rate can lead to a decrease in the workforce's size, which can impact the country's productivity and economic output. This can also result in labor shortages, which can drive up wages and reduce the availability of goods and services.  

Decreased birth rates can also lead to a reduction in the number of young people entering the workforce, which can result in reduced innovation and a slower pace of technological advancement. This can have long-term economic impacts on a society and can limit its ability to compete with other nations. 

Furthermore, a decreasing birth rate can lead to an aging population. As the birth rate declines, the number of elderly individuals in a society increases, which can put pressure on health care systems and lead to increased health care costs.  

In conclusion, decreased birth rates can have significant and far-reaching impacts on a society. The negative effects can be both economic and social, and they can have long-term consequences that may be difficult to reverse. The correlation between declining birth rates and the legalization of abortion is undeniable. As Elon Musk pointed out, a society's ability to sustain itself depends on its ability to reproduce and grow. We cannot reproduce and grow as a society while we are killing children. It is important for governments and individuals alike to consider the implications of decreasing birth rates and work towards finding solutions to address this issue. We must criminalize abortion; only by doing so can we ensure a prosperous and sustainable future for generations to come.