1. Why Aren’t More People Getting Married? – Anna Louie Sussman (The New
York Times, 2023)
Marriage rates have been steadily declining, and while many assume that this is due to a
societal shift away from commitment, Sussman argues that the real reason is structural inequality
and changing gender expectations. Women, particularly those who are well-educated and
financially independent, still want marriage but struggle to find suitable partners who match their
expectations for financial stability and emotional maturity. Meanwhile, many men have not
adapted to changing gender roles and remain stuck in outdated models of masculinity, which
makes them less attractive partners. Economic instability, especially among working-class and
lower-middle-class men, has further contributed to this decline, as financial security remains a
key factor in marriage decisions.
Sussman challenges the conservative argument that marriage should be promoted as a
solution to social instability, arguing instead that marriage rates will not increase until economic
and social conditions improve for men. The article highlights the growing gender imbalance in
education and career success, where women outpace men in higher education and professional
advancement but are still expected to marry someone at their level or above. Because of this,
many women opt for singlehood rather than settling for unequal relationships.
● Gendered Economic Inequality
○ Women’s financial independence has not been matched by a similar rise in men’s
financial stability, leaving a shrinking pool of “marriageable” men.
○ Many men have not adjusted to the shift toward egalitarian relationships, leading
to a mismatch between relationship expectations.
● Male Drift (Daniel Cox’s Research)
○ Some men are disengaging from higher education and career ambitions, making
them less desirable as long-term partners.
○ Women struggle to find emotionally available, financially stable men who are
willing to contribute equally in relationships.
● Sociologists Kathryn Edin & Maria Kefalas: Why Low-Income Women Avoid
Marriage
○ Many low-income women see marriage as a financial risk rather than a benefit
because their potential partners struggle with job instability, infidelity, and
substance abuse.
, ○ Women often choose single motherhood over an unstable marriage, challenging
the idea that marriage is always beneficial.
● Examples & Evidence
○ Sarah Camino’s Story – A single mother who left her partner because he refused
to take responsibility for their child, showing how many women are forced to
choose between singlehood or a low-quality relationship.
○ Survey Data on Women’s Preferences – Women report struggling to find partners
who meet their standards for maturity and career ambition, leading many to delay
or forgo marriage.
● Why Marriage Rates Are Declining
○ Women aren’t rejecting marriage—they are rejecting partners who don’t meet
their needs.
○ Traditional masculinity no longer fits the modern economy, and men who fail to
adapt are left behind.
○ Economic precarity among men is a major factor—women still expect financial
security in a marriage, and many men can’t provide that.
2. The Real Reason South Koreans Aren’t Having Babies – Anna Louie Sussman
(The Atlantic, 2023)
South Korea has the lowest fertility rate in the world, and despite billions of dollars spent
on pro-birth policies, birth rates continue to drop. While many assume the issue is purely
economic, Sussman argues that the real reason is gender inequality. South Korean women are
increasingly rejecting traditional gender roles, but men and societal structures have not adapted
to these changes. As a result, many women choose to opt out of marriage and childbirth
altogetherrather than accept an unequal division of labor at home.
Unlike in some European countries, where government policies support dual-earner
families with strong parental leave and childcare support, South Korea’s workplace culture still
expects women to quit their jobs after childbirth. This makes it nearly impossible for women to
balance a career and family, leading many to simply refuse to have children at all. The failure of
government incentives like cash bonuses and housing perks shows that financial concerns aren’t
the main issue—the real barrier is that men aren’t taking on equal caregiving and household
responsibilities.
● Gender Role Conflict
, ○ Women want equal partnerships, but men and employers still expect women to
handle childcare and housework alone.
○ Women are forced to choose between career success or motherhood, as work-life
balance remains impossible for many.
● Feminist Theories of Labor (Arlie Hochschild’s Second Shift)
○ Even when women work full-time, they are still expected to do the majority of
household labor.
○ South Korean women see marriage as a trap that forces them into full-time
caregiving roles.
● Government Policy Failure (Structural Barriers to Fertility)
○ The government has spent $150 billion on incentives like cash bonuses, tax
breaks, and housing perks, but birth rates continue to fall.
○ These policies fail because they do not address the unequal expectations placed on
women.
● Examples & Evidence
○ The 4B Movement (South Korea’s Radical Feminist Movement) – A movement
that rejects marriage, dating, sex, and childbirth in protest of gender inequality.
○ Korean Work Culture – Many workplaces assume women will quit after
childbirth, reinforcing traditional gender roles.
● Why Birth Rates Keep Falling
○ Women aren’t avoiding motherhood because of money—they’re avoiding the
burden of unequal caregiving.
○ Men’s lack of involvement at home makes marriage and parenting unappealing.
○ Financial incentives alone won’t fix birth rates if gender expectations don’t
change.
3. The End of Babies – Anna Louie Sussman (The New York Times, 2019)
Birth rates are declining across the world, and while many assume this is due to personal
choice, economic insecurity, or changing values, Sussman argues that the modern economy itself
is making parenting impossible. Even in countries with strong parental leave policies and
,financial incentives, birth rates continue to fall because of work-life balance struggles, housing
costs, and job insecurity.
Sussman describes late-stage capitalism as a form of contraception, where economic
instability and overwork prevent people from starting families. Many people want more children
than they actually have, but the reality of modern life makes parenting unrealistic or undesirable.
This pattern is especially evident in wealthy nations like Japan, Italy, and South Korea, where
birth rates are at historic lows despite government intervention.
● Economic Precarity & Fertility Decline
○ The cost of raising children has risen dramatically, while job security and wages
have stagnated.
○ Many people delay or avoid having children because they feel financially and
emotionally unprepared.
● Work-Family Conflict
○ Workplaces demand long hours and constant availability, making it hard for
parents to balance careers and family.
○ Without paid leave and flexible work policies, parenting becomes an
overwhelming burden.
● State vs. Individual Responsibility (OECD Fertility Data)
○ Countries where childcare is seen as a private responsibility (like the U.S.) have
lower birth rates.
○ Even in countries with strong government policies (like Denmark), birth rates are
still declining.
● Examples & Evidence
○ Denmark’s Fertility Awareness Campaign – Posters asking “Have you counted
your eggs today?”encouraged women to have children earlier, but birth rates
remained low.
○ Italy & Japan – Countries with aging populations, high work stress, and
unaffordable childcare continue to see declining birth rates.
● Why People Aren’t Having Babies
○ Modern economies do not support family life—long hours, expensive housing,
and lack of childcare make parenting unrealistic.
, ○ Many people want children but feel the system is working against them.
○ Government incentives alone won’t fix fertility rates unless workplaces and
gender roles change.
4. Becoming a Gendered Body – Karin A. Martin (1998)
Martin explores how gender is physically embodied from an early age through
socialization, particularly in schools. She argues that gender is not just something we learn
mentally—it is something we perform with our bodies. From a young age, boys and girls are
taught to use their bodies differently, reinforcing traditional gender roles. Schools play a major
role in this process by disciplining children’s bodies in gendered ways, shaping their posture,
movement, and behavior.
Teachers and caregivers control girls’ bodies more strictly than boys’, expecting them to
be quiet, sit still, and take up less space, while boys are given more physical freedom. This
process creates “docile” feminine bodies and active, dominant masculine bodies, reinforcing the
idea that women should be submissive and controlled, while men should be assertive and
independent.
● Social Construction of Gender
○ Gender is not just biological—it is taught and reinforced through repeated bodily
practices.
○ Boys and girls are conditioned to use their bodies in ways that reflect traditional
gender expectations.
● Embodiment of Gender (Foucault’s Discipline & Punish, 1975)
○ Schools regulate children’s bodies through posture, movement restrictions, and
discipline.
○ Girls are physically trained to be more passive, while boys are encouraged to be
more active.
● Hidden Curriculum (Education Theory)
○ Schools enforce gender roles subtly, through routine discipline rather than explicit
instruction.
○ This reinforces traditional masculinity and femininity without direct teaching.
● Examples & Evidence
York Times, 2023)
Marriage rates have been steadily declining, and while many assume that this is due to a
societal shift away from commitment, Sussman argues that the real reason is structural inequality
and changing gender expectations. Women, particularly those who are well-educated and
financially independent, still want marriage but struggle to find suitable partners who match their
expectations for financial stability and emotional maturity. Meanwhile, many men have not
adapted to changing gender roles and remain stuck in outdated models of masculinity, which
makes them less attractive partners. Economic instability, especially among working-class and
lower-middle-class men, has further contributed to this decline, as financial security remains a
key factor in marriage decisions.
Sussman challenges the conservative argument that marriage should be promoted as a
solution to social instability, arguing instead that marriage rates will not increase until economic
and social conditions improve for men. The article highlights the growing gender imbalance in
education and career success, where women outpace men in higher education and professional
advancement but are still expected to marry someone at their level or above. Because of this,
many women opt for singlehood rather than settling for unequal relationships.
● Gendered Economic Inequality
○ Women’s financial independence has not been matched by a similar rise in men’s
financial stability, leaving a shrinking pool of “marriageable” men.
○ Many men have not adjusted to the shift toward egalitarian relationships, leading
to a mismatch between relationship expectations.
● Male Drift (Daniel Cox’s Research)
○ Some men are disengaging from higher education and career ambitions, making
them less desirable as long-term partners.
○ Women struggle to find emotionally available, financially stable men who are
willing to contribute equally in relationships.
● Sociologists Kathryn Edin & Maria Kefalas: Why Low-Income Women Avoid
Marriage
○ Many low-income women see marriage as a financial risk rather than a benefit
because their potential partners struggle with job instability, infidelity, and
substance abuse.
, ○ Women often choose single motherhood over an unstable marriage, challenging
the idea that marriage is always beneficial.
● Examples & Evidence
○ Sarah Camino’s Story – A single mother who left her partner because he refused
to take responsibility for their child, showing how many women are forced to
choose between singlehood or a low-quality relationship.
○ Survey Data on Women’s Preferences – Women report struggling to find partners
who meet their standards for maturity and career ambition, leading many to delay
or forgo marriage.
● Why Marriage Rates Are Declining
○ Women aren’t rejecting marriage—they are rejecting partners who don’t meet
their needs.
○ Traditional masculinity no longer fits the modern economy, and men who fail to
adapt are left behind.
○ Economic precarity among men is a major factor—women still expect financial
security in a marriage, and many men can’t provide that.
2. The Real Reason South Koreans Aren’t Having Babies – Anna Louie Sussman
(The Atlantic, 2023)
South Korea has the lowest fertility rate in the world, and despite billions of dollars spent
on pro-birth policies, birth rates continue to drop. While many assume the issue is purely
economic, Sussman argues that the real reason is gender inequality. South Korean women are
increasingly rejecting traditional gender roles, but men and societal structures have not adapted
to these changes. As a result, many women choose to opt out of marriage and childbirth
altogetherrather than accept an unequal division of labor at home.
Unlike in some European countries, where government policies support dual-earner
families with strong parental leave and childcare support, South Korea’s workplace culture still
expects women to quit their jobs after childbirth. This makes it nearly impossible for women to
balance a career and family, leading many to simply refuse to have children at all. The failure of
government incentives like cash bonuses and housing perks shows that financial concerns aren’t
the main issue—the real barrier is that men aren’t taking on equal caregiving and household
responsibilities.
● Gender Role Conflict
, ○ Women want equal partnerships, but men and employers still expect women to
handle childcare and housework alone.
○ Women are forced to choose between career success or motherhood, as work-life
balance remains impossible for many.
● Feminist Theories of Labor (Arlie Hochschild’s Second Shift)
○ Even when women work full-time, they are still expected to do the majority of
household labor.
○ South Korean women see marriage as a trap that forces them into full-time
caregiving roles.
● Government Policy Failure (Structural Barriers to Fertility)
○ The government has spent $150 billion on incentives like cash bonuses, tax
breaks, and housing perks, but birth rates continue to fall.
○ These policies fail because they do not address the unequal expectations placed on
women.
● Examples & Evidence
○ The 4B Movement (South Korea’s Radical Feminist Movement) – A movement
that rejects marriage, dating, sex, and childbirth in protest of gender inequality.
○ Korean Work Culture – Many workplaces assume women will quit after
childbirth, reinforcing traditional gender roles.
● Why Birth Rates Keep Falling
○ Women aren’t avoiding motherhood because of money—they’re avoiding the
burden of unequal caregiving.
○ Men’s lack of involvement at home makes marriage and parenting unappealing.
○ Financial incentives alone won’t fix birth rates if gender expectations don’t
change.
3. The End of Babies – Anna Louie Sussman (The New York Times, 2019)
Birth rates are declining across the world, and while many assume this is due to personal
choice, economic insecurity, or changing values, Sussman argues that the modern economy itself
is making parenting impossible. Even in countries with strong parental leave policies and
,financial incentives, birth rates continue to fall because of work-life balance struggles, housing
costs, and job insecurity.
Sussman describes late-stage capitalism as a form of contraception, where economic
instability and overwork prevent people from starting families. Many people want more children
than they actually have, but the reality of modern life makes parenting unrealistic or undesirable.
This pattern is especially evident in wealthy nations like Japan, Italy, and South Korea, where
birth rates are at historic lows despite government intervention.
● Economic Precarity & Fertility Decline
○ The cost of raising children has risen dramatically, while job security and wages
have stagnated.
○ Many people delay or avoid having children because they feel financially and
emotionally unprepared.
● Work-Family Conflict
○ Workplaces demand long hours and constant availability, making it hard for
parents to balance careers and family.
○ Without paid leave and flexible work policies, parenting becomes an
overwhelming burden.
● State vs. Individual Responsibility (OECD Fertility Data)
○ Countries where childcare is seen as a private responsibility (like the U.S.) have
lower birth rates.
○ Even in countries with strong government policies (like Denmark), birth rates are
still declining.
● Examples & Evidence
○ Denmark’s Fertility Awareness Campaign – Posters asking “Have you counted
your eggs today?”encouraged women to have children earlier, but birth rates
remained low.
○ Italy & Japan – Countries with aging populations, high work stress, and
unaffordable childcare continue to see declining birth rates.
● Why People Aren’t Having Babies
○ Modern economies do not support family life—long hours, expensive housing,
and lack of childcare make parenting unrealistic.
, ○ Many people want children but feel the system is working against them.
○ Government incentives alone won’t fix fertility rates unless workplaces and
gender roles change.
4. Becoming a Gendered Body – Karin A. Martin (1998)
Martin explores how gender is physically embodied from an early age through
socialization, particularly in schools. She argues that gender is not just something we learn
mentally—it is something we perform with our bodies. From a young age, boys and girls are
taught to use their bodies differently, reinforcing traditional gender roles. Schools play a major
role in this process by disciplining children’s bodies in gendered ways, shaping their posture,
movement, and behavior.
Teachers and caregivers control girls’ bodies more strictly than boys’, expecting them to
be quiet, sit still, and take up less space, while boys are given more physical freedom. This
process creates “docile” feminine bodies and active, dominant masculine bodies, reinforcing the
idea that women should be submissive and controlled, while men should be assertive and
independent.
● Social Construction of Gender
○ Gender is not just biological—it is taught and reinforced through repeated bodily
practices.
○ Boys and girls are conditioned to use their bodies in ways that reflect traditional
gender expectations.
● Embodiment of Gender (Foucault’s Discipline & Punish, 1975)
○ Schools regulate children’s bodies through posture, movement restrictions, and
discipline.
○ Girls are physically trained to be more passive, while boys are encouraged to be
more active.
● Hidden Curriculum (Education Theory)
○ Schools enforce gender roles subtly, through routine discipline rather than explicit
instruction.
○ This reinforces traditional masculinity and femininity without direct teaching.
● Examples & Evidence
