The global fertility rate is declining significantly, with over half of the world’s population residing in countries where the fertility rate is below replacement level.
This situation stems from various factors, but one key aspect is what some call “managerial liberalism.” According to BlazeTV host Auron MacIntyre, this term encompasses institutions like human resources, academia, NGOs, and media that promote liberal social norms.
This ideology encourages women to prioritize careers and independence over marriage and motherhood. It also suggests that children are more of a lifestyle choice rather than an essential part of society, even proposing immigration as a solution to birth rates declining.
To explore this topic further, MacIntyre has a discussion with his friend Kevin Dolan, who founded the EXIT Group and hosts the Natal Conference.
MacIntyre references Dolan’s recent article titled “Mom Is Working for Moloch,” which posits that children are sacrificed—not in religious rituals—but to a “Moloch” system that thrives on extended education and career commitments for women.
Dolan notes that there is a strong correlation between the education and employment of women and fertility rates. Interestingly, he points out that many on the right often misunderstand this issue, focusing on criticizing the ‘girl boss’ mentality rather than addressing the underlying problem.
He argues that the connection between lower birth rates and women’s education and work status really begins even before higher education becomes a factor. For instance, “This correlation exists from learning to read to breaking free from subsistence farming,” he explains. Yet, the only regions where women primarily live this way, he suggests, are those that are far from desirable.
While some on the right propose immediate fixes, such as monetary incentives for having children or lowering daycare costs, Dolan dismisses these as mere superficial solutions. “The sacrifices required to raise children are immense, and likely, the person motivated to have a child for a couple thousand dollars might not be the best fit for parenting,” he says.
Ultimately, people aren’t inclined to start families just because of government incentives. They need a strong, trusting environment to feel secure about raising children. Dolan believes that the current structure of managerial liberalism undermines that foundation.
“We have built a world where families struggle to flourish. It’s a profound failure of our society,” Dolan points out. “This is something that really needs to change.”
To get more insights into Dolan and MacIntyre’s views on what is needed for family formation to thrive again, check out the complete episode above.
