I’d quibble that the average medieval peasant faced a lot less surveillance than the average citizen of any country today (Though perhaps that’s just a change in methods).
But you are right - and, in fact, I think it’s the case that countries/people in worse circumstances tend to have more kids (probably some weird evolutionary thing but I don’t want to speculate). As tough as times may seem in “developed” countries, most people don’t need to worry about where their next meal is coming from.
(This isn’t to say that circumstances are “fine” or that we shouldn’t improve things - simply pointing out some biological factors). It’s also worth noting that folks in worse economic circumstances tend to having a higher number of people in their “support network” (friends and family - ie, 3 generations living under one roof). Though perhaps this is not the case in the US since it’s culturally looked down upon to rely on family like that.
It’s an interesting phenomenon that can’t be boiled down to 1 or 2 simple factors like government type. Maybe this was too much text and I should’ve just said “I agree with you DeathByBigSad”
having a higher number of people in their “support network” (friends and family - ie, 3 generations living under one roof).
Fun fact: My mom told me that, supposedly, if it weren’t for the fact that my maternal grandmother (aka: her mother) agree to help take care of me, she would’ve never given birth to me, as she already has the trouble of dealing with my older brother. My parents were kinda busy with work.
(I’m from China btw… Currently residing in the US)
I also remember sometimes my older brother was just tasked with the “chore” of having to pick me up. I remember once my mom’s close friend picked me up from school at the same time as she picked up her kid, I kinda just spent like an hour at their house being bored… not much entertainment… smartphones didn’t exist at the time (not that I would’ve been allowed to have one anyways, I was like maybe 10 or something).
And as for finacial support. My mom borrowed a lot of money from relatives and friends… so yeah… that how she managed to buy a house (she eventually paid them back).
I’d quibble that the average medieval peasant faced a lot less surveillance than the average citizen of any country today (Though perhaps that’s just a change in methods).
But you are right - and, in fact, I think it’s the case that countries/people in worse circumstances tend to have more kids (probably some weird evolutionary thing but I don’t want to speculate). As tough as times may seem in “developed” countries, most people don’t need to worry about where their next meal is coming from.
(This isn’t to say that circumstances are “fine” or that we shouldn’t improve things - simply pointing out some biological factors). It’s also worth noting that folks in worse economic circumstances tend to having a higher number of people in their “support network” (friends and family - ie, 3 generations living under one roof). Though perhaps this is not the case in the US since it’s culturally looked down upon to rely on family like that.
It’s an interesting phenomenon that can’t be boiled down to 1 or 2 simple factors like government type. Maybe this was too much text and I should’ve just said “I agree with you DeathByBigSad”
Fun fact: My mom told me that, supposedly, if it weren’t for the fact that my maternal grandmother (aka: her mother) agree to help take care of me, she would’ve never given birth to me, as she already has the trouble of dealing with my older brother. My parents were kinda busy with work.
(I’m from China btw… Currently residing in the US)
I also remember sometimes my older brother was just tasked with the “chore” of having to pick me up. I remember once my mom’s close friend picked me up from school at the same time as she picked up her kid, I kinda just spent like an hour at their house being bored… not much entertainment… smartphones didn’t exist at the time (not that I would’ve been allowed to have one anyways, I was like maybe 10 or something).
And as for finacial support. My mom borrowed a lot of money from relatives and friends… so yeah… that how she managed to buy a house (she eventually paid them back).