What's Causing America's Baby Bust?
https://townhall.com/columnists/starpark...y-bust-n2585965
Star Parker
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Posted: Mar 10, 2021 12:01 AM
The opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Townhall.com.
What's Causing America's Baby Bust?

When the COVID-19 pandemic started and lockdowns became part of our daily lives, some romantic souls were predicting that this would produce a baby boom.

Now, as the data shows up, we see exactly the opposite.

CBS obtained data from health departments in over two dozen states that shows "a 7% drop in births in December -- nine months after the first lockdowns began."

Research from the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C., predicts that births may well be down 300,000 to 500,000 in 2021.

The prediction is based on a negative correlation between birth rates and the unemployment rate. Higher unemployment means fewer babies.

Brookings also notes, contrary to what the romantics thought would happen, that surveys of couples, particularly those with young children at home, report declines in sexual activity.

But these COVID-related hits to birth rates really attach to a trend of declining fertility rates in the U.S. that has been going on for years.-- excerpt, rest at link above --