Live Chat Highlight: A 4-Minute Reply to Will
Here’s my favorite part from today’s WSJ Live Chat:
1:58
Allison Lichter:
On the
Ideas Market blog, Will Wilkinson argues that your argument really only
applies to a narrow range of people:
middle-and-upper class couples who
already have at least one child,
are on the fence about having another one,
have been overestimating the costs of an additional child, and
have the right personalities to effectively practice “serenity parenting.”
Friday April 15, 2011 1:58 Allison Lichter
1:58
Allison Lichter:
Can you reply to him?
Friday April 15, 2011 1:58 Allison Lichter
1:59
bcaplan:
Sure.
First thing: There are *far* more people who fall in Will’s “narrow
range” than the audiences Will and I usually write for.Friday April 15, 2011 1:59 bcaplan
1:59
bcaplan:
Second:
Will’s understating the range. Plenty of people who *like* kids still
avoid having any because they think the sacrifice is too high.Friday April 15, 2011 1:59 bcaplan
2:00
bcaplan:
Third:
The “fence” is pretty wide. I’m not showing parents how to save a few
minutes a week. I’m showing them how to save hours – and enjoy the rest
more.Friday April 15, 2011 2:00 bcaplan
2:01
bcaplan:
Fourth: Since the nature-nurture evidence is very poorly publicized, I think almost everyone overestimates the cost.
Friday April 15, 2011 2:01 bcaplan
2:02
bcaplan:
Last:
Serenity Parenting isn’t either/or. It appeals to some people more than
others, but anyone can move in a serene direction. 🙂
The post appeared first on Econlib.