luleeX's blog

The New Red-Diaper Babies
By DAVID BROOKS

Published: December 7, 2004
Columnist Page: David Brooks
Forum: Discuss This Column

E-mail: dabrooks@nytimes.com

There is a little-known movement sweeping across the United States. The movement is "natalism."

All across the industrialized world, birthrates are falling - in Western Europe, in Canada and in many regions of the United States. People are marrying later and having fewer kids. But spread around this country, and concentrated in certain areas, the natalists defy these trends.

They are having three, four or more kids. Their personal identity is defined by parenthood. They are more spiritually, emotionally and physically invested in their homes than in any other sphere of life, having concluded that parenthood is the most enriching and elevating thing they can do. Very often they have sacrificed pleasures like sophisticated movies, restaurant dining and foreign travel, let alone competitive careers and disposable income, for the sake of their parental calling.

i thought this article was kind of interesting, since ive been thinking about open marriage and divorce. its nice to see a positive trend happening, for once.

Dec. 6 issue - When Chanukah begins next week, Randy Fuerst and Susan Arnold will mark the Jewish Festival of Lights with the same beloved traditions they've enjoyed since they married in 1983. They'll gather with their kids around the menorah, and Leah, 17, Rachel, 15, or Jonathan, 13, will light the first candle. The family will pray and sing a few songs. Dad will twirl dreidels and the kids will inspect their gifts. When the celebration is over, Mom will give everyone a hug. Then she'll walk out the door and drive back to her own home.

Repeat Caesareans Becoming Harder to Avoid
By DENISE GRADY
The notice, posted in her obstetrician's office in Lancaster, Calif., came as a shock to Danell Freeman: the local hospital would no longer allow doctors to deliver babies vaginally for women who, like her, had previously had a Caesarean section. Unless she changed doctors and hospitals, Ms. Freeman would have to have another Caesarean - something she had hoped to avoid.

Ms. Freeman is 29, pregnant with her fifth child. The first three were born normally, the fourth by Caesarean. "I don't like the idea of being cut open again," she said.