
About this episode
Many economists and politicians are alarmed that Americans, like others around the world, are having fewer kids. But, apart from wanting a growing labor force, is this really a problem? Opinions columnists Shadi Hamid and Heather Long talk with Style columnist Monica Hesse about what’s really behind the baby bust and whether we just need to prepare for a lower fertility future.
Read more from our columnists about this topic in the Washington Post:
Editorial board: A reader quiz on world birthrate -- and what it means for the future
Monica Hesse: The birth rate is still sluggish. Don’t blame the birth givers.
Get every episode summarized
Each time Reasonably Optimistic publishes, we email you a written briefing from the transcript — the topics, who appeared, and any specific claims, with the ad reads skipped.
Email me new episodesFree for 3 shows. No card needed.
Hosts & guests
No transcript yet
This episode has not been transcribed. Request it and it moves to the front of the queue.
More episodes
More from Reasonably Optimistic

The temperature is rising on AI. What comes next?
Reasonably Optimistic

I'm not anti-tax. But this one should go.
Reasonably Optimistic

What a Catholic feminist dares to say
Reasonably Optimistic

Where AI will be in a year — and in a decade
Reasonably Optimistic
