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It is projected on the basis of current factors depressing fertility that the U.S. will reach zero population growth in about 50 years and that at a population of about 250 million; it will then begin to decline. Factors cited are available and effective contraceptive technology radical changes in the institution of marriage (massive postponement of marriage and high divorce cohabitation and illegitimacy rates) which in turn are based on changes in the role of women particularly greater educational and employment opportunities. Although it is asserted that these demographic changes seem desirable because of less pressure on the environment and resources with an opportunity to improve the quality of life the question is raised whether the changes taking place in the institutions of marriage and the nuclear family are so far-reaching as to require eventual serious government subsidization of reproduction.
Charles F. Westoff (Wed,) studied this question.