Category: Family

American Fertility Rates Down

The fertility rate in the United States hit a record low in 2023, continuing a decades-long decline. As reported by CNN, the US fertility rate fell by 3% from the previous year, reaching about 55 births per 1,000 women aged 15 to 44. This marks a significant 21% decrease in the general fertility rate since 2007.

It’s certainly interesting to think about why this is happening. Various social and economic factors, including delayed marriage, extended education, and later entry into stable employment, contribute to this trend. Additionally, greater societal acceptance of smaller families or remaining childless influences these decisions.

Interestingly, and surprisingly, birth rates are shifting to older women, with the highest rates among those aged 30 to 34. Teen birth rates also dropped to a record low in 2023. The Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision, overturning Roe v. Wade, may also be affecting local birth trends, particularly in states with abortion bans.

The World’s Declining Birth Rates

The world is facing a significant demographic shift due to consistently falling fertility rates. A report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) highlights a stark decrease from 3.3 children per woman in 1960 to 1.5 in 2022 among its member nations. This drop below the replacement level of 2.1 children necessary to maintain a stable population signals profound future changes.

Economically, the implications are severe. An aging population could strain labor markets, potentially heightening inflation as the balance of working-age individuals to retirees shifts. Historically, a ratio of six workers per retiree has dwindled to nearly two-to-one. This evolving demographic landscape is prompting business leaders and policymakers to adapt strategies.

For instance, U.S. companies are increasingly discussing labor shortages, with major corporate executives pointing out the need for adjustments in their workforce planning. Furthermore, immigration, previously a remedy for labor deficits in affluent nations, can no longer be solely relied upon due to the global nature of declining birth rates.

The future economic policy may need to consider incentives for higher birth rates or integrate alternative solutions like enhancing productivity through technological advancements such as artificial intelligence. This demographic trend is not a transient issue; it necessitates immediate attention to prevent potential economic disruptions and ensure a sustainable socio-economic framework.

Strava Releases 2023 “Year in Sport: The Trend Report,” Revealing Workout Motivation in Different Generations  

Strava, a digital platform with a community of over 120 million athletes, released its, “Year In Sport: The Trend Report.” The report surveyed 6,990 individuals, both in and out of Strava’s community, and provided insights into the exercise habits of people across different generations as well as observations on the evolving workout trends for the year 2024. Gen Z was found to stand out with differing habits, motivators, obstacles and interests when approaching physical activity.

One prominent takeaway from the report is the importance of social connection as a primary motivator for exercise. This appeared as a cross-generational response, but was particularly notable for Gen Z with 77% responding that they a stronger bond to seeing friends and family’s activities on Strava. Gen Z is also 29% more likely than Millennials to exercise with another person.

The report highlights Gen Z’s distinct exercise behaviors; they are 31% less likely than Millenials or Gen X to work out because of health concerns and more likely to pursue athletic performance. While 39% of Gen Z Strava users started a new job and 30% relocated in 2023, they were still 32% more likely than other generations to say they’re in better shape than last year.

Zipporah Allen, Chief Business Officer at Strava, notes the impact of Gen Z’s values of community, activism, and connection in an increasingly digital world: “Over the past year, we’ve seen Gen Z as the primary source of community growth through new clubs on Strava. They’ve also contributed to the increase in sports, like running, despite having the most barriers to staying consistent. This shows exercise will be a central value for this generation, which is why they’re already turning to Strava as the key platform to stay motivated and connected.”

This Summer, Consider a “Walk and Talk”

As we head into summer, consider scheduling a “walk and talk” to connect with a partner or close friend. Research shows that talking to someone while walking side-by-side lends itself to less eye contact. This reduces the stress in a conversation. According to couple’s therapist, Esther Perel, “When walking next to someone, a conversation becomes parallel play.” The dynamic is that both people are, “looking ahead yet connected by the exchange.”

Furthermore, walking makes it nearly impossible to persistently check our phones. Priya Parker, author of “The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters,” says that walks lend themselves to more natural silence. Some of the greatest conversations follow a period of silence. She adds that silence can be its own form of intimacy for a couple.

While these walks should feel pressure-free, they can be maximized by considering a topic ahead of time. Some ideas include raising a struggle or discussing a memory. Another option that Perel offers to make walks more fun is to think of a prompt, for example:

  • If my younger self could see me today, they would say…
  • A trip that changed my life was…
  • What’s a promise you wish you hadn’t broken?

A creative alternative posited by Parker is choosing a previously-unexplored area for a “wander walk.” The unfamiliarity of the surroundings encourages conversation topics that would not arise during a regular routine.

Embrace these positives and the beautiful weather, and schedule your walk and talk!

SeaWorld Abu Dhabi to Open this Week

The first Sea World outside of North America will open on Yas Island on May 23, 2023. Sea World Abu Dhabi is a five-floor wonderland whose eight realms boast 100,00 animals, 15 rides and experiences, 18 dining options, and 13 shopping areas.

Sea World Abu Dhabi aims to offer an unparalleled entertainment experience while simultaneously educating visitors about conservation and ecology.

The eight realms of Sea World Abu Dhabi are: One Ocean, MicroOcean, Rocky Point, Artic, Antarctica, Endless Ocean, Abu Dhabi Ocean, and Tropical Ocean. Each realm contains its own themed restaurants and cafes. The theme park uses advanced technology to recreate the natural habitats of the wildlife, controlling water currents, light conditions, and wave movement.

Other attractions on Yas Island include Ferrari World, Yas Waterworld, Warner Brothers World, and the Emirates Park Zoo.

Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of Miral, the development company which built Sea World Abu Dhabi, said: “SeaWorld Abu Dhabi represents the next generation of theme parks, joining the world-class experiences on Yas Island, further positioning it as a top global destination, contributing to the growth of Abu Dhabi’s tourism vision.

“The Park will also play a key role in promoting environmental awareness and protecting marine life in Abu Dhabi, the UAE and the wider region, undoubtedly inspiring guests to care for and protect our precious marine life for years to come.”

Feeling Down? Pet a Dog

It is no coincidence that dogs are known to be man’s best friend. Playful and interactive; protective and observant – many individuals and families choose to adopt dogs, taking them in as integral members of their household. But, a recent study has shown that dogs are not simply fun playmates. Rather, physical contact with our furry friends serves an important role in our emotional and mental health.

A study published in PLOS ONE last month uncovers a lot of information about dogs and the benefits they provide to their owners. When petting a dog, the frontal cortex of the brain is stimulated. This is the area which regulates our thought processes and feelings. The lead author of the study, Rahel Marti, explains the premise of the study: “We chose to investigate the frontal cortex because this brain area is involved in several executive functions, such as attention, working memory, and problem-solving. But it is also involved in social and emotional processes.”

The fact that physical contact has this effect on human brains is a critical finding. It emphasizes the idea that animal therapy can positively impact cognitive and emotional activity in the brain. It also strengthens existing research on using animal-assisted therapy on people who have experienced trauma related to the nervous system, such as strokes, seizures, certain infections, and more.

Furthermore, the study demonstrated that brain activity increased when participants were physically closer to the pups, and boosted even further when actually touching the dog. It also showed that the brain response was more present when touching a real dog versus a stuffed animal.

So, next time your children beg for a pet dog, you may consider the benefits of giving in to their wishes.