The hidden forces behind America’s baby bust

In a conversation about America's declining birth rate, Megan McArdle and Tim Carney explore the complex interplay of professional ambitions, personal autonomy, and the pressure of intensive parenting that's making family life harder. They argue that marrying later and the lack of support from workplaces and communities exacerbate this trend. This shift raises important questions about how society can foster family growth without reverting to outdated, unequal norms. Understanding these factors is crucial as a smaller population could impact everything from economic growth to social structures.