Procreating for Dollars

I'm finally beginning to realize that most of the ideas that I had rolling around in my head when I decided to do a blog were rants. Most of the blog posts so far have been very negative and curmudgeonly--all the stuff I don't like about Andy Rooney anymore.


So, I'm going to work on writing more positive and thoughtful posts--stuff I'd actually want to read on someone else's blog. I'm not saying I'm done ranting--I still have a few more of these up in my noggin--but I promise to try to come up with the occasional post about something constructive and maybe even thought-provoking.


But until then . . .



If you want to know where a society’s priorities lie, take a look at how it spends its money. We give tax deductions to encourage people to buy more efficient cars, make their homes more energy-efficient, and even go to school. All of those things, one way or another, are good for our society. But We (the collective, capital We) also offer tax deductions to people who have kids. We’re paying people to have kids?

First let me say that I’m not talking about programs that help those less fortunate. I’m talking about the system we’ve put in place that offers financial incentives and other perks for all people—rich or poor--who choose to have a child.

Some of my tax dollars go to paying for roads I don’t use, buildings I’ll never set foot in, and services I’ll never take advantage of. That’s all part of being a member of a society and I’m fine with that. But we don’t pay people to get a dog or buy a boat, both of which would use far fewer resources than a child will.

Lest you think that the giveaways are limited to tax dollars, think again. By law, both mothers and fathers are guaranteed six weeks of time away from work, and the company must hold open a comparable job for them. Someday I’d really like to write a book. Will I get six weeks off of work, with a guarantee that my job will be waiting for me if I choose to return? Not bloody likely. But for some reason people who bring yet another hungry mouth into the world are rewarded with my tax dollars and a company’s money. I don’t get it.

We’ve all heard of “family-friendly” places to work, but what does that mean? This article highlights the companies that offer preferential treatment to parents. Benefits include free daycare, paid maternity leave, flexible working hours, and the ability to work from home. I love working from home, and I actually think it’s more productive than working at the office, when all things are equal. But if a parent needs or wants to be home to take care of a child, things are not equal. You’re going to be distracted and your time is inevitably going to be divided, so the company is getting less work, hour for hour.

And it’s little rewards, too. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve thought I found a primo parking spot at a store, only to find out that it was reserved for mothers with small children. I understand that children are a chore to take care of and that a parking spot closer to the door might help, but why is that my problem? And where are the spots for people with large packages or those who are in a hurry? I don’t think those people should have special parking privileges, so why are we giving mothers special privileges?

Years ago, there was an episode of LA Law in which a woman was suing because she was denied a partnership in her law firm because she was trying to get pregnant. The logic was that as soon as she became pregnant she would become less productive, and as soon as she had the baby she would need time off and may not ever come back to work (about 30% of women don’t). This was a flagrant violation of the law, but the defendant’s point was clear: I’m unlikely to get the same work out of this woman than I would from someone who didn’t have children. Seems about right, but of course he lost the case.

So, if all this is true, and I’ve tried to be fair, why have We decided to reward people to have kids?

The only answer I can come up with is that all of a society’s laws and policies should reflect the priorities of its people. I don’t disagree with that in principle, for the same reason I don’t mind paying for that road I’ll never drive on. But public roads and public libraries and even public parks ultimately benefit us all. Having kids is a personal decision with very private benefits.

Again I ask: Why do we reward people for bringing yet another human into the world? If people want a child, I’m good with that. Get a goat for all I care. But why do I have to kick in to satisfy your urges to create a little version of you?