Thread

1. mlboss · 1790816419 · focus · HN ↗

   There is a very simple solution to the problem. Just add a tax to single people and childless couples or reverse give huge tax break to married and couple with kids.

   In past the motive for marriage was sex and companionship which was frowned in society if out of wedlock. Now it is not frowned upon. The old constraint is gone and we need to add new constraints if we want to solve the problem.

   1. croes · 1790818929 · focus · HN ↗

      That’s how you get loveless marriages and kids whose purpose is being a tax break.

      Good wages, enough free time, affordable housing, free child care, universal healthcare.

      That’s the better way.

      There plenty of people who want to marry and get kids but they don’t have enough time and money.

      1. TFNA · 1790823784 · focus · HN ↗

         > Good wages, enough free time, affordable housing, free child care, universal healthcare.

         Nordic countries did this. Birthrates have been declining regardless. Even Gulf Arab countries which are an even more enviable welfare state, and have considerable religious-cultural emphasis on childraising, too, have seen declining birthrates.

         1. SXX · 1790831825 · focus · HN ↗

            Birthrates decline is unrelated process which is just stronger than those incentives.

            Do you aware how expensive Nordic countries are to live in and have social life even counting all the free stuff?

            And gulf arab countries are basically even worse in this regard.

            1. TFNA · 1790832634 · focus · HN ↗

               Gulf Arab countries are not expensive for locals. They are provided with housing, a sinecure job. They drive multiple new-model cars. Nearly every family can afford a Filipino nanny, a cook and South Asian coolies for other labor. And food costs are some of the lowest in the developed world, much less than Europe.

Unofficial Hacker News client; not affiliated with Y Combinator.