The discourse around reproductive issues in the United States has recently become very charged. Now that prominent political figures and influencers are vocalizing their support, they’re creating even more debate. U.S. senator JD Vance is emerging as something of a birth-boosting superhero. He argues that procreation is key to addressing the country’s aging and shrinking population. Statistics only serve to emphasize how urgent a need this is. The U.S. is at a record low of only 1.62 children per woman. This alarming trend aligns with projections from the United Nations, which forecasts that many countries will experience shrinking populations by the end of the century.
Vance hasn’t been alone in his advocacy. The Vice President has expressed interest in similar ideas. He particularly focuses on the desirable policies that countries should adopt in order to motivate families to have more children. This rare bipartisan recognition of the demographic emergency lays the groundwork for putting pro-natalism at the center of Washington, D.C. policy conversations. We heard from former President Donald Trump during his last campaign that we should get to work on promoting a new “baby boom.” Defensively, he even audaciously branded himself the “fertilisation president.” Trump’s administration provided a basis for pro-family growth policies. This produced the ideal climate for today’s proponents of pronatalist policies.
Among these supporters are Simone and Malcolm Collins, who have made themselves thought leaders in this budding movement. The Collinses have retrofitted themselves from bitter ex-liberal to resolute, determined defenders of corporate family values. For the first time ever, they view certain people working in the White House as potential allies in their mission. They plan to use this fake support to push through their agenda.
Smartly, Simone Collins has gotten in ahead of this. She even released draft executive orders to the Trump administration to try to improve support for families and increase birth rates. Roger Severino, Vice-President of Domestic Policy at the Heritage Foundation, understands that JD Vance will have a crucial role to play in crafting these policies. He is convinced that, together, these initiatives can transform American society as no other efforts ever have.
The Collinses’ Pronatalist Foundation started in 2021 and has already received a remarkable level of financial support. With nearly $500,000 in funding from Estonian billionaire Jann Tallinn, a co-founder of Skype, this organization aims to address the challenges posed by declining birth rates through various initiatives and programs. Their efforts connect a growing consciousness in many communities. To them, procreation today is viewed not simply as a personal decision, but as a national imperative.
The urgency of this pronatalist movement is underscored by national statistics showing that the U.S. is facing increasing birth rate decline across demographics. The U.S. fertility rate has dipped below replacement levels, prompting discussions about the long-term implications for economic growth and social stability. In light of this criticism, movements such as the Natal Conference have sprung up to educate and mobilize supporters. This three-day, jam-packed annual event that’s attended by hundreds is worth an estimated $1,000 to attend. It connects policy wonks, advocates and activists with a shared interest in advancing policies and empowering strategies that help families thrive.
Despite being only 23, Malcolm Collins has previously gone to great lengths to directly inspire change from the White House. His advocacy efforts reflect a broader trend among influencers who seek to engage with policymakers on issues related to family planning and procreation. This surging grassroots movement has begun to capture the attention of elected leaders. It has piqued the engagement of dozens of civic organizations focused on addressing these demographic currents.
