FAMILY FORMATION CRISIS

The Family Formation Crisis

Why Young Americans Can't Start Families

The Numbers

"Want children but don't have": Majority cite economic reasons

Why People Aren't Having Kids

Economic Insecurity

Stagnant wages: Two incomes required just to survive

Structural Barriers

Housing: Family-sized housing unaffordable in job centers

Rational Response

Young people aren't having kids because they can't afford to. When asked, they say they want children. The gap between desired and actual fertility is entirely economic. This isn't cultural decline—it's rational response to impossible conditions.

Consequences of Collapse

Civilizational: Societies that don't reproduce don't continue

AIP Solution: Making Families Affordable

Stability Accounts

Security: Economic floor reduces fear of having children

Universal Healthcare

Mental health: Postpartum, childhood development support

Universal Pre-K and Childcare

Early childhood: Investment in next generation pays returns

No Income Tax + Productivity Sharing

Time for children: Less financial pressure = more family time

Projected Outcomes

Generational renewal: Sustainable population, healthy society

Discussion Questions

Is fertility decline primarily economic, or are cultural factors also at play?

How does AIP childcare/pre-K actually work?

Should there be explicit pro-natalist policies beyond economic support?

How do we handle the 20+ years before first AIP-born generation has children?

What about immigration as alternative to low fertility?

Note: Family formation is civilizational issue often ignored by policy. AIP addresses root economic causes without explicit pro-natalist politics. Validators invited to assess whether economic factors are sufficient or cultural elements need addressing.