I don’t think we need to do anything more in this country to encourage parents to both go into the workforce rather than spend time being with their children. There are enough studies out there that show the value of parents actually parenting, rather than sending their kids off to daycare. Of course, in society now, it’s considered a luxury to be able to stay home with your kids, most families need to put both parents in the workforce, which is unfortunate.

That said, I have mixed feelings toward such a program at present only because I don’t feel like we need to do anything in the U.S. (at this time) to encourage people to continue having children. The reason for the pro-natalist policies in Europe is pretty plain - their populations are not reproducing in large enough numbers to actually reproduce their current population, let alone growing. So they have many pro-natalist policies in place to encourage growth. The U.S. still has a growing population and fertility rates are still at or above replacement (if we include immigration to the U.S.). So, I’m torn. As a potential parent, I would want such a policy. But as a concerned citizen of the world looking at global population growth, I’m not sure I do.

(Sorry, I argued both sides.)

You say “an average Joe, screwed by capitalism, greed, and an uncaring social structure.”

While I can’t argue anything in regards to Mr. Swartout’s case, i’d like to know what the author thinks would be a good way to solve this kind social problem. Maybe this will turn into a discussion/argument over capatilism v. socialism…