France's plan to send letters to 29-year-olds reminding them to have children has been criticised as missing the point. The letters, to be issued by the health ministry to both men and women, aim to address low birth rates. However, critics argue that the government should focus on broader issues such as housing affordability and maternity leave.
The age of 29 was chosen symbolically to highlight fertility concerns around age 30. This approach has been called heavily gendered, as similar pressure is rarely applied to men. The government stated that 'fertility is a shared responsibility between women and men,' but the pressure on women remains unique due to biological and societal factors.
The broader political context includes concerns about pension systems and immigration. Sustainability professor François Gemenne noted that the debate is not just about birth rates but also about the welfare state and modern politics' 'obsession with immigration and the fear of being replaced.'
The pro-natalist viewpoint, popularised by Hungary's Viktor Orbán and Elon Musk, has been linked to arguments about some humans being more valuable than others. Critics argue that if demographics were the real issue, countries would be more welcoming to migrants rather than focusing on boosting birth rates among existing citizens.
