As fertility rates have fallen across the US many politicians and pro-family advocates have argued that better legislation on issues like housing, healthcare, and education would encourage young people to have more children. Cultural trends, however, also play a part. Writing for the Washington Examiner, journalist Bethany Mandel argues, “People have children… because they are convinced, on some level that it will make their lives richer, more meaningful, and more connected. At the moment, too many people have absorbed the opposite message.”

Although better legislation on issues like affordable housing, healthcare, and education would be helpful, we need more men and women to understand the immense blessings that come with having a family. Far too often, young men and women are told that children will negatively alter their lives, but research confirms that some of the happiest and fulfilled people are parents.