Advocates of higher birthrates have support in the Trump administration. But it’s unclear whether their priorities will win out.The New York Times reports that the American conservative movement has long prioritized the nuclear family as the cornerstone of cultural and economic life. However, in recent years, there has been a push within the movement to expand the traditional definition of family and encourage larger families.
This “pronatalist” cluster on the right wing argues that public policy should support and incentivize childbearing, especially as fertility rates have declined. With the re-election of President Trump, this group has gained more influence and is advocating for policies such as increased support for families with multiple children, more affordable higher education options to allow for earlier childbearing, assistance for those struggling with infertility, and initiatives that promote childbearing as a national duty.
Some steps have been taken, such as Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy’s decision to direct federal funds towards areas with high marriage and birth rates. However, progress on these priorities has been slow and in some cases, the White House’s actions have been counterproductive.
Patrick Brown, a fellow at the conservative Ethics and Public Policy Center, who focuses on family policy, acknowledges the mixed results of the Trump administration’s actions. He states, “That’s going to be the tension, that angel on one shoulder and the devil on the other. At this stage, the devil seems to be winning out.”
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