Americans want more kids. Here’s what’s stopping them.
Summary
In this episode of In Conversation, host Shamita Basu interviews Anna Louis-Susman, author of "Inconceivable," to explore why declining birth rates persist despite many people wanting children. They discuss how rising costs, housing insecurity, and career pressures create "structural infertility," using the story of a nurse who delayed parenthood to pay off student debt. Susman critiques current political proposals that favor single-earner households over low-income families and argues that meaningful solutions require comprehensive support like paid leave and affordable childcare. The conv…
Topics discussed
Intro: Midterm election questions and how to submit
Show intro: Why people want kids but feel they can't have them
Global fertility decline and the rise of uncertainty
Guest introduction: Anna Louisa Susman and her book
Post-2008 economic anxiety and its impact on family planning
Housing costs, career stability, and dating challenges
Nordic family policies: Paid leave and subsidized childcare
Structural infertility and the high cost of IVF in the US
Comparing IVF access in Denmark vs. the United States
The social cost: Loss of relationships and community connection
The joy of new life and the ambivalence of modern parenting
Case study: Trent's struggle with student debt and health
How student loan forgiveness helped Trent start a family
Reflections on policy luck and the loss of personal agency
Trump administration's 'pro-family' rhetoric vs. reality
Proposed childcare shifts favoring single-earner married couples
Bipartisan support for paid leave and affordable childcare
Zero-sum politics: Who benefits from new childcare funding?
Holistic solutions: Job security and economic stability
Global examples: South Korea and Japan's birth rate initiatives
The role of corporations in supporting family formation
Long-term view: Evolution, loneliness, and technology's impact
Individual actions: Building community and mutual support
Closing remarks and book promotion
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