inverse proportion of education vs. reproductive success
Shortened for space…////////////////
‘since education is so widespread and more people are getting bachelors & masters than previous [quantity wise], shouldn’t the population as a whole be getting smarter // the less intelligent parts of society should be cancelling themselves out?’
Ah. So your focus is more of the ‘success’ aspect. Totally. Shortly after we reach puberty, our bodies are at their peak reproductive levels. Late teens through twenties are when, I would imagine, we are at our most fertile. And of course, the lack of sex education, no wonders we have such a high teen pregnancy rate. There is totally a correlation between lack of education in that sense, but also with what you were talking about with med students. Of course they don’t have the time to have children. Or the money. And are smart enough to know that having a child, wouldn’t further their chances of succeeding in accomplishing their goals. And how long does it take for some in the medical field (or any college graduate now-a-days), who has thousands of dollars worth of debt, to become financial capable of raising a child to the standards that they have set? Not until they are probably well into their thirties. So that means, 1. less offspring and 2. less chances of successful/healthy offspring, due to the mother being past her reproductive prime (tick… tick… tick…).
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which brings forward an interesting shift in societal ideals… parents want their children to be successful.. in the primative sense, to further carry their genes to the future, but in more modern times doesn’t it seem that any mother would be absolutely tickled pink to have her son become a doctor?
and just goals in general - goals for oneself seem to be at the forefront of generations… personal achievement. noticed on the news last night about bush’s daughter’s wedding, her not wanting it at the white house… she had that choice. another white house daughter was interviewed, who had had her wedding/reception @ the white house, and really had no say in the matter at the time [ maybe 30 yrs ago? don’t remember who it was precisely] so much choice is give to /expected from individuals in modern times…