[ferrous69]

What are your ideas about more sustainable alternatives to our "democratic, equal" society? It seems to me a social movement that we cannot put the lid back on. It appeals ideologically (at its base level of "everyone is equal") and pragmatically to most people. Your points about sustainability are valid and we need to think about them, but what else can we do aside from progress towards a more egalitarian society with a more even distrubition of demographic groups throughout societal roles?

[xixixao]

I only just thought about this, so it might be a crazy idea but:

States could pay parents caring after children. In fact this already happens in modern western societies with some resemblence of a social state.

But I think the problem is that a "family" gets the benefit. And the "family" shares the benefit. And then the mentality is: I spend all day at work, and if I lose my job, we will lose my income. But no one is seriously thinking: If a stay-at-home mom/dad stopped caring for their child, they would stop getting the state benefit.

Of course these benefits are usually comparatively small to the full-time salary of a working person. But we could adjust those values. And we could say: This money belongs to the stay-at-home parent. They contribute: by caring for the children. Society should value this equally.

It's a bit of social engineering, but it could work quite well. It's related to the idea of universal income, in some ways.

I think the main problem with continued population growth is our unwillingness to build cities, tearing down old buildings. This is a serious problem that is causing unsustainable hike in cost of living. We also build expensively, compared to the 50s (in some parts of the world).

VR and remote-working might counterbalance this somewhat. Maybe new cities will be build. It all needs really visionary leadership, and increased willingness to move forward, a-like to the pink-glassed 50s.

[14]

As a Canadian I already receive money for my kids. Single dad and kids see mom on weekend I get the child benefits as it is called around here as I have the kids more then 60% if the time. If the children are shared equally then we would split the child tax. The amount changes as kids age but for 3 kids I get something like 1370$ a months to help me support those kids. This has improved the quality of my life hugely. It is the difference between I wonder if I can afford rent or food to now that we have rent and food maybe we can afford to go to the local pool. But here is the kicker, in Canada, we have come a long way but, they are sexist towards men and the woman still have the slight advantage. As in the child benefits are automatically given to the mother of the child. It is up to them to use that money for the kids. When my wife and I split up they were paying her but I had the kids. They wanted me to prove I had the kids so I could get the benefits. Luckily my wife and I were cooperative during the divorce so she confirmed with them I have primary custody so the money was switched into my name. But had she not I would of had to go to court and it is a pain. Anyways I get paid for my kids each month. Plus a huge tax break at the end of the year and get most of my income tax back. Last 2 years that has been a 5k tax return. I don’t know what other countries are doing but feel supported here in Canada.

[paulryanrogers]

In the US there is some pushback to giving families any more government benefits from the childless. Now that I have children it's very clear to me why such benefits are a need. This seems even more important as corporations dominate our culture with ever-increasing competitive pressures.

Still, paying out benefits does mean a sacrifice from somewhere else--even if it'll be a long-term gain for all. Education and life experience changed my entrenched views, so perhaps it can do the same for others.

(Full disclosure: I've worked for employers with no parental leave whatsoever.)