And Im a fence-sitter on the topic of whether to have kids.
But if anything, the baby-boosting policies proposed have swayed me in the opposite direction.
Because a fancy thank-you-for-your-service is what willreallyget people to commit to raising a full volleyball team.
Collage: Self; Source images: Roc Canals/JuSun/Getty Images
That first one is just a bit of a head-scratcher.
As for the second?
Im all for ramping up menstrual education, given that sex ed in this country is notoriously abysmal.
Its not that they cant bother figuring out when theyre ovulating.
Rather, they simply cant afford having kids, she says.
Which brings us to the $5,000 baby bonus.
Delivery with a C-section?
Youre up to about $26,000 without insurance or $3,200 with coverage.
(Some plans may have you on the hook for a lot more.)
But theres a bigger issue with the baby bonus concept.
This chunk of straight-up cash isnt just insufficient in quantity.
As Erenberg says, Parenthood doesnt need to beincentivizedit needs to be supported every step of the way.
On that front, progress has either been stymied or outright stalled under Trump.
Theres been no movement on nationwide paid leave, despite the presidentsprior support for various proposals.
At their core is the same fundamental disregard for women that has spawned decades ofanti-abortionrhetoric and legislation.
Much in the same way restrictive post-Roeanti-abortion laws remove womens agency over if or when theyll start a family.
Its an issueTrump has promised hed resolveby lowering the costs of IVF.
(Exactly how will be the subject of a report his administration is expected to release in May.)
More talk about making motherhood more accessible, however, is a good thing and well overdue.
And thanks to orgs like Chamber of Mothers, these have been made very clear.
Its a matter of priorities.
When are we going to invest in this?
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