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PaperclipPerfector  19hr ago (text post)   2575 thread views

Culture War Roundup for the week of July 13, 2026

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Any bottleneck on reproduction is almost entirely going to be defined by the population of reproductive-age women and their behavior

Sure. That's basically tautological, in that only women can have babies.

Phones, opportunity costs, education levels, loss of religion, literally ALL of those have demonstrably higher impact on female behavior than male

Much less clear. To pick one example, men secularised first and fastest over the 20th century.

The birth rate collapse isn't being caused by women being too picky. It's caused by less coupling, which is in turn caused by people socialising much less due to screens.

Sure. That's basically tautological, in that only women can have babies.

And yet, the discussion centers on men's failures, when by the precise definition you're pointing out, cratering tfr is a 'failure' on womens' part. That's my whole point, it makes no sense to add pressure to men as a 'solution.'

Society refuses to even consider any solution that might upset women in the slightest.

men secularised first and fastest over the 20th century.

Men were always less religious on average, that was just standard understanding.

Until recently. Somehow this also coincides with various denominations allowing female pastors.

Once again, "loss of religion" very obviously impacts one gender more than the other.

Its the women.

And yet, the discussion centers on men's failures

Errm, no it doesn't? The three theses OP mentioned are neither about men nor women. Academic discussion doesn't focus on men (for the reason that the TFR data is mostly about women) and if you go somewhere like /r/natalism there's much more discussion about women than men, because women are the ones who have the babies.

Honestly, I have no idea where you got the idea that birth rate discussions focus on men. They really, really don't.

Honestly, I have no idea where you got the idea that birth rate discussions focus on men. They really, really don't.

Throw a couple more 'reallys' in there and I still won't find that believeable.

"The Missing Men of the American Marriage Market."

This study adds to a growing body of research that finds that the economic difficulties facing working-class Americans are bleeding into the most intimate parts of their social life. Much of the conversation has focused on working-class men themselves, and how that has been reflected in their own social struggles. This paper shifts attention to how those struggles may be affecting women and kids.

and

This study suggests that an important part of the story is a shrinking supply of economically stable men available for many working-class women.

Emphasis mine.

Two months ago.

"No one hates marriage. Women are just demanding better men."

Poor relationship quality, grossly uneven distribution of household labor and caregiving responsibilities, and spousal betrayal are key contributing factors. The evidence shows that marriage benefits men health-wise. The same benefits do not hold for women if marital satisfaction is low.

Almost daily, I see female patients in my office who cry over their husbands' selfishness and weaponized incompetence, which has consequences for the wives' mental health: "I want a partner who respects and loves me, not an extra child!"

Last month.

The "weaponized incompetence" meme has gotten some play too:

‘Weaponized incompetence’ can harm relationships. Here’s how to counter it.

The inherent unfairness of the situation and the accompanying invisible mental workload of running a household, including figuring out the family’s needs and the best ways to meet them as well as acting as a social secretary, can negatively affect a woman’s mental health, well-being and career. It can also diminish a couple’s marital satisfaction and sex life and put them at risk for divorce.

Last December.

I have literally, in my entire life, never seen an article published claiming that female incompetence was ever to blame for relationship failure. Indeed, the mainstream narrative is that women are incorrectly viewed as incompetent as a barrier to their advancement.

These are extraordinarily easy to find. THAT'S where I 'got the idea.'

That's where all the other men are getting said idea too, just for the record. Its widely noticed, I just like to call it out.

Can you name a single policy proposal in any Western Country (hell, try non-Western) that tries to improve TFR by increasing restrictions on female behavior?

I can point out several that are paying women directly or otherwise offering bribes/incentives to women to get married and have kids.

China HAS recently tried some restrictions on women, funny enough.

Has the west tried restrictions on men, either? This could easily be the west’s preference for the carrot over the stick.

To pick one example, men secularised first and fastest over the 20th century.

I think the argument here would be that religious men are mostly pretty similar to secular men, while religious women behave very differently from secular women. It's higher impact on women than it is on men.

Yes, one must certainly ask what have women adopted in the place of standard religiosity.

I think its pretty obvious.

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