NBC recently reported the U.S. fertility rate has dropped to an all-time low.  More women “are waiting longer to have children or never taking that step at all.”  This is another social decline, especially as attached to historically low marriage rates and declining church attendance.

The forces of composition in civil society are losing to the forces of decomposition. The magic of social cohesion that energizes institutions like marriage, family, and parenthood, has taken hit after hit with women being taught to emphasize educational and professional success while boys and men have been taught that at first they were unnecessary (as a fish is to a bicycle) and then simply devalued in and of themselves—as toxic.

Family, faith, and children used to be signs of joy to behold, propelling mutual societal success, not burdens to delay or refuse. It’s led to individualism, isolation, and loneliness.  In the words of Tom Wolfe, it’s time for a great re-learning as much as it is a great re-awakening.