Via The Browser:

Today, in the high-income world1 and even in some developing countries, we are witnessing a shift to a new social model. Increasingly, family no longer serves as the central organizing feature of society. An unprecedented number of individuals — approaching upwards of 30% in some Asian countries — are choosing to eschew child bearing altogether and, often, marriage as well.

The Rise of Post-Familialism: Humanity’s Future? | Newgeography.com

Points:

• “In some countries, particularly in East Asia, the nature of modern competitive capitalism often forces individuals to choose between career advancement and family formation.”
• “The widespread movement away from traditional values — Hindu, Muslim, Judeo-Christian, Buddhist or Confucian — has also undermined familialism.”
• “The change in the role of women beyond sharply defined maternal roles represents one of the great accomplishments of modern times. Yet this trend also generates new pressures that have led some women to reject both child-bearing and marriage.”
• “Men are also adopting new attitudes that increasingly preclude marriage or fatherhood.”
• “The great trek of people to cities represents one of the great triumphs of human progress, as fewer people are necessary to produce the basic necessities of food, fibre and energy. Yet the growth of urban density also tends to depress both fertility and marriage rates.”
• “The current weak global economy, now in its fifth year, also threatens to further slow family formation.”
• “A society that is increasingly single and childless is likely to be more concerned with serving current needs than addressing the future oriented requirements of children.”
• “The most obvious impact from post-familialism lies with demographic decline. It is already having a profound impact on fiscal stability in, for example, Japan and across southern Europe.“
• “A diminished labour force — and consumer base — also suggest slow economic growth and limit opportunities for business expansion.”
• “In Europe, Asia and America, most younger people still express the desire to have families, and often with more than one child. Amidst all the social change discussed above, there remains a basic desire for family that needs to be nurtured and supported by the wider society.”

Ponder (linked articles are but one of many publications on the issue):

• What does this mean for immigration policies and attitudes toward immigrants?
• What does this mean for technology?