Her people believe that if a woman bears enough children she can return to life as a man.
Also, there is a distinct relationship between economic equality and relatively low birth rates.
Another friend, a farm worker has 5 children. His wife ran off. He works all day and then comes home to care for the kids. The younger kids require care all the time, so the older kids cannot have any life as a child. They too have to work long hours.
Of course, with inexepensive day care, his life would be easier, but even so, the expense of caring for 5 kids ....
Children are wonderful. I was once a child .... but the idea of being a woman and pumping out a child every year or so seems terrifying.
-- Michael Perelman Economics Department California State University Chico, CA 95929
Tel. 530-898-5321 E-Mail michael at ecst.csuchico.edu