Fertility rates show who is hopeful for America’s next 250 years

The celebration of America’s 250th birthday has begun, inaugurated by a patriotic presentation of the nation’s history at the Washington Monument on New Year’s Eve and followed by a packed calendar of events, including a Triumphal Arch near Arlington National Cemetery and the Great American State Fair planned for Independence Day.

As we commemorate 250 years of America and prepare for 250 more, it’s worth asking ourselves the question: Do we embrace a vibrant future, or do we accept decline? The answer hinges on who you ask. Millions still hold deep faith in our nation’s promise, while others have lost hope. Nowhere is this divide clearer than in one of humanity’s most profound expressions of optimism: the choice to have children.

Welcoming new life into the world