why do developed countries have declining populations
also, why do populations in advanced decline so steadily, and rapidly
http://www.forbes.com/sites/currentevents/2012/10/16/warning-bell-for-developed-countries-declining-birth-rates
the linked article above was written by the late Harry Lee Kuan Yew, a legend in South East Asia as the first prime minister of Singapore.
It considers the rise of females in the work force as a substantial contributing factor towards female economic and social independence, and by induction; females choosing to marry later and having fewer or no children. This leads to a decline in the number of working adults supporting the children and elderly (and supporting those who do not work as well).
However, children who are needed to grow into the next generation of work force adults are seen as an expense and a possible hinderance in career advancement. The elderly (who are essential in providing wisdom and experience in nurturing children, and advising adults who are a part of the work force) are seen as the burden due to medicare costs and needing help with daily chores.
This brings to mind an old Chinese folk tale of a water melon farmer, who wanted bigger water melons, so he started pruning away all the parts of the water melon plant that was not the water melon fruit. What the water melon farmer ended up with was a plant without leaves for photosynthesis, or roots for nutrient and moisture absorption, i.e. a dead plant.
Hence the moral of the story is, listen to your elders, they have wisdom you will need to grow.
The secondary lesson in the story is, groom your children (whether they are the kids you biologically have, or the children you interact with in school, in the community or in church), they need the wisdom and a role model you can provide.
As such, providing finances, labor and time, it is in giving we receive, the experiences and wisdom that will build a strong heart; the heart that will be strong enough to learn the lesson of how to love.
Maybe then, we will find the pieces to heal the broken family unit of the dysfunctional modern era.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/currentevents/2012/10/16/warning-bell-for-developed-countries-declining-birth-rates
the linked article above was written by the late Harry Lee Kuan Yew, a legend in South East Asia as the first prime minister of Singapore.
It considers the rise of females in the work force as a substantial contributing factor towards female economic and social independence, and by induction; females choosing to marry later and having fewer or no children. This leads to a decline in the number of working adults supporting the children and elderly (and supporting those who do not work as well).
However, children who are needed to grow into the next generation of work force adults are seen as an expense and a possible hinderance in career advancement. The elderly (who are essential in providing wisdom and experience in nurturing children, and advising adults who are a part of the work force) are seen as the burden due to medicare costs and needing help with daily chores.
This brings to mind an old Chinese folk tale of a water melon farmer, who wanted bigger water melons, so he started pruning away all the parts of the water melon plant that was not the water melon fruit. What the water melon farmer ended up with was a plant without leaves for photosynthesis, or roots for nutrient and moisture absorption, i.e. a dead plant.
Hence the moral of the story is, listen to your elders, they have wisdom you will need to grow.
The secondary lesson in the story is, groom your children (whether they are the kids you biologically have, or the children you interact with in school, in the community or in church), they need the wisdom and a role model you can provide.
As such, providing finances, labor and time, it is in giving we receive, the experiences and wisdom that will build a strong heart; the heart that will be strong enough to learn the lesson of how to love.
Maybe then, we will find the pieces to heal the broken family unit of the dysfunctional modern era.
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