The French government has announced plans to send letters to 29-year-olds encouraging them to have children, as part of a 16-point plan to tackle low birth rates. The initiative, led by the health ministry, will target both men and women, emphasising that 'fertility is a shared responsibility'. However, critics argue the move misses deeper issues such as housing affordability and inadequate maternity leave.
Columnist Zoe Williams questions the effectiveness of the scheme, noting that the pressure to reproduce falls disproportionately on women. She points out that while the age of 29 is chosen to flag concerns about fertility before 30, men rarely face similar 'tick tock' messaging. Williams also highlights that broader structural factors, like the inability to afford a home, may deter people from starting families.
The debate extends beyond France, with countries like Hungary offering generous tax breaks for mothers of three, and figures like Elon Musk promoting pro-natalist views. Sustainability professor François Gemenne warns that the focus on birth rates is often tied to fears about immigration and 'replacement' narratives, rather than genuine demographic balance. He argues that if policymakers were truly concerned about supporting the working-age population, they would adopt more welcoming immigration policies.
Williams concludes that French 29-year-olds should not be swayed by the government's campaign, suggesting they are being used as pawns in a 'Great Replacement' narrative. She calls for a more comprehensive approach that addresses the real reasons people delay or forgo parenthood, including economic insecurity and lack of support for working parents.
