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May 26, 2026

Is having children a moral obligation?

In many places around the world, birth rates have dropped to historic lows. Some argue this is a good thing in a world grappling with environmental crises and waning resources. Others fear the loss of legacy and even the extinction of humanity. 

In this episode, we explore the meaning and the impact of falling birth rates. Is it a sign of liberation from outdated norms? Is it proof that individualism has gone too far? Or is it the inevitable result of modern-day challenges? 



Participants

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Alaka Basu

Professor of developmental sociology, Cornell University

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Stephen J. Shaw

Data scientist and demographer

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Laurie DeRose

Assistant professor of sociology, The Catholic University of America

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Antonina Lewandowska

Sociologist, researcher and activist

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Soraya Salam

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