Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
News
Original poster

Not enough kids being born

23 replies

handlemecarefully · 16/02/2004 10:44

I was reading in the Sunday Times (Yep - I know I shouldn't read it, but sometimes can't help myself) that European countries predominantly are in 'crisis' because they are 'reproducing' below the replacement rate needed to keep the population in balance. Apparently the UK's replacement rate is 2.1 but we are reproducing at a rate of 1.6

They were prophesising economic meltdown because in future the tax burden on the dwindling working population (due to ageing popn) will be huge. I worry for my daughter and yet to born son because they will be amongst the smaller working popn saddled with this problem. Apparently by 2020 (or something like that)for every 2 working peeps there will be one retired (i.e. non contributing) person to support.

It seems like we mums are doing society a favour, but you wouldn't think it half the time...

I feel like wearing a t-shirt (for the benefit of all those peeps who go on about school runs / parent and toddler spaces / mums getting preferential treatment at work etc) with the phrase emblazoned it:

"Kiss my arse - as a mum I am saving your future!"

OP posts:
Hulababy · 16/02/2004 10:47

Read this too and felt guilty as only have one child and no intentions of any more.

What did you think of the financial and tax incentives of having more than one child? I think they do this in Italy and France.

I like your idea of the t-shirt

Angeliz · 16/02/2004 10:49

i'd wear it too!

I am soon hoping for a second child so will be doing my bit for society

twiglett · 16/02/2004 10:49

message withdrawn

FairyMum · 16/02/2004 10:51

I read that too (also cannot avoid buying the sunday papers......). I am certain the solution is more family-friendly policies. Great idea for a t-shirt!

Hulababy · 16/02/2004 10:52

I think this is the summary.

Original poster
handlemecarefully · 16/02/2004 10:54

Hulababy,

DONT feel guilty about having just the one. We mums get too much guilt heaped upon us as it is!

OP posts:
Hulababy · 16/02/2004 10:57

Oh I know, but sometimes it's as though you can never do anything right. If you have kids you are a burder when out and about, if you don't then you are selfish!

We are quite adament about just having the one, especially after seeing the financial adviser last week about school fees!!!

zebra · 16/02/2004 11:02

Foowah! Hulababy; I thought all those scrounging work-avoiding mums living on public money in nice big Council houses had too many benefits and freebies for popping out babies, already.

Well, that's what the Daily Mail tells me.

If only I could persuade my MIL that us having another baby will help pay pensions in the future, whereas she thinks choosing to have 3 children is downright weird!

Hulababy · 16/02/2004 11:04

See what I mean - no win situation. So you have to go with what suits YOU and your circumstances instead. Tough luck what other people think.

Clarinet60 · 16/02/2004 11:37

Having one child is a great contribution, hulababy.

I read it and felt proud to be a mum too.
Very worrying though. I think working till 75 is going to come to pass (call me psychic, but I've been saying this is coming for about 20 years now. I always knew pensions would backfire).

Hulababy · 16/02/2004 11:40

If I had to work until I am 75 I'll ..... not sure what the the thought feels me with dread. Teaching those kids all that time. Arrrggghhh!!!!

lazyeye · 16/02/2004 11:44

Yes t-shirt for me please and one for my boss who refused my career break........very interesting article. That women who had 22 kids, 6 of them on the kitchen floor..........!!!

LadyCodworth · 16/02/2004 11:46

hula I have had one extra that can take up your ration!

Hulababy · 16/02/2004 11:49

Sounds a good deal to me Ladycodworth

stupidgirl · 16/02/2004 21:13

Can you imagine the impact of working until 75. I know many 75 year olds are infinately capable, but many aren't. Would you trust a 75yr old bus driver? Child carer? Doctor? Frightening.

Clarinet60 · 17/02/2004 16:11

Perhaps now teenage pregnancies will be seen as less of a disaster? We seem to be good at those in the UK.

lydialemon · 17/02/2004 16:14

OK then give me loads of money so I don't have to work, and a house that will fit us all and I'll have number 4, just for you...

wobblyknicks · 17/02/2004 16:17

Give me enough money and I'll just stay at home popping them out!!!

Festivefly · 17/02/2004 16:19

I'll tell someone that when they have a go at me for bringing up "B@St@rds" which has happened.

wobblyknicks · 17/02/2004 16:20

ff - I'm so sorry!! Just tell them that your b**tards will be paying their pensions!!!

mummytojames · 26/02/2004 00:17

im sorry but anyone who calls a child the b word i would like to give them a something and it wont be a hug either no child has been that or will ever be that a child is a human being no matter what and needs love not hate

zebra · 26/02/2004 00:30

There is no retirement age in the States -- swept away as part of anti-age-discrimination legislation. But I think pensions are a bit more generous there; it's very common to have a mortgage well into your retirement years, for instance, and how else could you pay it if your retirement income wasn't quite high?

Still, my American step-mother was lying awake at night thinking that she would have to work until age 81 to pay the mortgage off.

JJ · 26/02/2004 07:13

And don't forget paying for healthcare, zebra. sigh..

As my dad reminds me, we're the generation that will lose social security after paying for his. And because we're small (gen x) and the next one is bigger, we won't get it back. Not that it's enough to live on, of course. (And I don't mind paying for it at all and think the limit on contributions is stupid! Just wish I could count on it for us, too.)

But no more babies for me (shudder..).

New posts on this thread. Refresh page