I would also add that the dichotomy of "have kids / or have plenty" is a false dichotomy brought about by two factors:
The destruction of the value of labour by the doubling of the labour force due to the influence of Feminism and women's lib.
The ever increasing burden of taxation on otherwise prosperous and productive middle and even lower-class earners.
These two things together have destroyed the ability of the Western family to have 3+ children and still enjoy a generally prosperous lifestyle of plenty. Real Productivity has increased by an insane amount in the West over the last 100 years; and yet, the middle class has largely not seen great benefits from it, because as Productivity has increased, so has the loss to taxation by the State.
This is an excellent and cogent analysis.
I would also add that the dichotomy of "have kids / or have plenty" is a false dichotomy brought about by two factors:
The destruction of the value of labour by the doubling of the labour force due to the influence of Feminism and women's lib.
The ever increasing burden of taxation on otherwise prosperous and productive middle and even lower-class earners.
These two things together have destroyed the ability of the Western family to have 3+ children and still enjoy a generally prosperous lifestyle of plenty. Real Productivity has increased by an insane amount in the West over the last 100 years; and yet, the middle class has largely not seen great benefits from it, because as Productivity has increased, so has the loss to taxation by the State.