On Having Kids…

 

I first published this rather amusing, but scathing, anecdote on the subject of having and bringing up kids last April. 

However, since then the issue has become a rather more serious one for our country's future, with some interesting, and quite chilling, findings recently brought to light. These would tend to confirm a marked unwillingness to embark upon the 'reproductive journey' amongst our indigenous population (i.e. those who were born here). Perhaps our potential parents have looked at their ever-dwindling bank balances and rocketing tax takes...and seen the light. 

And who could blame them given the prospect of even worse to come over the next 4 years ?

Recently announced birthrate statistics have shown a marked downward trend in the course of the last 3 years, with the overall tally for 2024 at 1.41 births per woman in England and Wales, a record low for the 3rd year in a row. This is of course well below the replacement level of 2.1, and might suggest our population should be declining. The fact that it isn't (yet!) is entirely due to the excess immigration totals, since the death rate hasn't materially changed. A closer look at the recent ONS data shows a clear division in birth rates between UK born and non-UK born parents - and an upward trend in the disparity. ONS data for england shows that 40.4% of births in 2024-5 were to foreign born parents (up from 38.3% 2023-4).  ONS figures for the UK population as a whole indicate ca 18% were born abroad (up from 16% in 2021 census), implying a significantly higher birth rate in this group.

As has already been highlighted in the media, and in politics, this has marked implications for our country's indigenous makeup, as well as for the shift in the balance between working age and retired, and its effect on our economic status. Not only is the proportion of immigrants increasing, but their birth rate appears to be more than double that of the indigenous population, and indicates an even lower birth rate should be applied in this group. 

If immigration is not strictly controlled, and soon, our standard of living will decline markedly. The current unrest, focussed on the behaviour and accomodation of male asylum seekers, which form the vast majority of illegals, and the government's inability (and seemingly unwillingness) to do anything about it is losing Labour yet more political support. The main opposition parties are both offering much more stringent controls if elected.  Current events also reflect a marked unease amongst the electorate country-wide, which could lead to widespread civil unrest if something isn't done. Labour's efforts so far have been mired in constraints by existing human rights legislation, and are likely to continue to be ineffective unless we throw off these particular legal 'shackles'....

Reform's call for a marked reduction in both legal and illegal immigration, and encouragement for our indigenous population to start reproducing again would seem reasonable under the circumstances. Labour show no signs of adopting a similar policy, so we will probably have to wait until 2029 at the earliest to see whether an alternative government can reverse the trend, and if so whether it's not too late by then to effect an economic rescue.

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Thought I’d share some entertaining, if rather jaundiced, views on this subject communicated to me recently by an acquaintance (presumably their views were based on their personal experience of family life, and may of course not be typical):

“…You spend the first 3 years teaching them to walk and talk…then the next 15 trying to get them to sit down and shut up. And of course when they turn into teenagers, everything's always 'so unfair'...

When they reach 'technical' adulthood at 18, is that the end of it ? – not a chance…..

They'll stay at home for the next 20 years or so 'cos they can’t be bothered to save up for a house, and just sit around looking at their iPhones all day. They still expect you to feed them and to babysit their kids when they’re out gallivanting at nights. (Can’t have you off travelling the world and spending their inheritance, after all, can they ?). They also cost you an arm and a leg* in the process. 

When they’ve finally moved out and you think you might finally get a bit of peace,  they’re back on a regular basis for subs. and meals/washing etc, etc whenever they feel like it, not to mention nosing around to see how much they’ll get when you snuff it.

When you’re in your dotage and finally need some real help from them, they b****r off skiing or exploring India or some other such place and leave you in the lurch….”

Their overall verdict and recommendation: "...for the sake of your sanity, your personal freedom...and your bank balance....just DON'T…"

* A recent report suggests that the total cost of raising a child to adulthood is now £230,000 and rising (Metro,29.4.24 p14). While this is probably an overestimate, and many families will probably manage on a lot less, the calculation only takes into account estimated costs to age 18. When university fees, food, accomodation and any other post-18 expenses are taken into account, the true cumulative figure may actually be much higher.  Multiply that by 2 or 3 for the average-sized family and you're into serious money....

Given the cost of living crisis and the need to economise, it illustrates the true gravity of a decision to reproduce....and perhaps explains why fewer and fewer people are taking the plunge.

First Published 10.4.24; Revised 30.8.25