While we sit in a lockdown, many are drawing comparisons between world wars and the current coronavirus pandemic. Even before this deadly disease hit us hard, demographers predicted a combination of factors – fewer births, more deaths, and negligible immigration, resulting in a nation wise slow down in population growth. On one hand while we are counting the number of deaths due to corona every few hours an interesting trend observed after the two world wars has been a Baby Boom. Well can we expect a new generation of lockdown babies coming up next year? Let’s introspect. If we look at history compulsory lockdowns have meant an increase in the birth rate nine months down the line. A very popular piece of research from London School of Economics shows that a nationwide blackout in Colombia in the early 1990s led to a remarkable rise in unplanned births - if people being stuck at home in the dark caused more pregnancies, then will be stuck at home in a lockdown for an indefinite time have a similar effect? Of course, as anyone will tell you, these are unique times on just about every level. No individual or community nor the disaster management departments of the most developed nations have been equipped enough to function normally in this scenario. The safest prevention method we see as of now is a lockdown. With couples quarantined together indefinitely, condoms in short supply, and reduced access to birth control and abortion, we might as well end up with a baby boom due to unplanned pregnancies again this time. Moreover, many young couples who had already planned a baby this year might continue with their plans. Work-wise, pregnant or not, women just like men have a compulsory ‘paid’ work from home. So this doesn’t count as maternity leave. So the would-be mother does not have to risk her job or her health commuting every day to work in a polluted city. Healthwise, there is negligible access to outside eateries or junk food, therefore as in an ideal setting the mother to be compelled to have nutritious freshly made homecooked food. However, it’s worth noting that there are many would-be pandemic parents who would be extra precautious and avoid pregnancy in a time of such widespread uncertainty. When a couple plans to expand the family, the first thought is of finance. Right now couples in childbearing age are already worried about their own futures as they even have to face unemployment. Just like the aftermath of the Great Recession, the economic downturn that begin in late 2007, financially there is a certain uncertainty which could be the prime reason why couples would postpone -- or even forgo -- decisions to have children. Biology wise too, anxiety and stress anyway bring down the libido and are not conducive to fertility. Next comes health. Like we all know a pregnant lady has additional healthcare needs and would require multiple visits to the hospital or clinic for several tests, scans, and vaccinations over the 9 month period. In this time of crisis, the hospitals are already overloaded with corona patients and are highly infectious zones. Even people with mild ailments are advised to stay at home or rely on telemedicine. So deliberately getting pregnant and then being exposed to such an environment in a lockdown does not sound wise. Why are we interested in this idea? Given strong contradictions to both the reasoning, the more interesting question may not be whether or not there will be one, but rather, why we’re so invested in the idea in the first place. The idea of children and childbirth represents some optimism for the future at a time when our own seems bleaker and bleaker. Through the eyes of an illusory future generation, we can recreate an image that we knew existed a few months ago and use it to overpower the harsh reality of the present scenario which might continue for predictable weeks, months, and beyond. Only time can tell if we will witness this new generation of ‘lockdownbabies’ or not, but if we do, it’ll indeed be fascinating to see their traits. You never know, they might be really good at self-isolation! (By Madhuri Shukla)
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Is the world heading for a Lockdown Baby Boom?
By Madhuri Shukla - 2020-04-27 14:43:00
While we sit in a lockdown, many are drawing comparisons between world wars and the current coronavirus pandemic. Even before this deadly disease hit us hard, demographers predicted a combination of factors – fewer births, more deaths, and negligible immigration, resulting in a nation wise slow down in population growth.
On one hand while we are counting the number of deaths due to corona every few hours an interesting trend observed after the two world wars has been a Baby Boom. Well can we expect a new generation of lockdown babies coming up next year? Let’s introspect.
If we look at history compulsory lockdowns have meant an increase in the birth rate nine months down the line. A very popular piece of research from London School of Economics shows that a nationwide blackout in Colombia in the early 1990s led to a remarkable rise in unplanned births - if people being stuck at home in the dark caused more pregnancies, then will be stuck at home in a lockdown for an indefinite time have a similar effect?
Of course, as anyone will tell you, these are unique times on just about every level. No individual or community nor the disaster management departments of the most developed nations have been equipped enough to function normally in this scenario. The safest prevention method we see as of now is a lockdown.
With couples quarantined together indefinitely, condoms in short supply, and reduced access to birth control and abortion, we might as well end up with a baby boom due to unplanned pregnancies again this time.
Moreover, many young couples who had already planned a baby this year might continue with their plans. Work-wise, pregnant or not, women just like men have a compulsory ‘paid’ work from home. So this doesn’t count as maternity leave. So the would-be mother does not have to risk her job or her health commuting every day to work in a polluted city.
Healthwise, there is negligible access to outside eateries or junk food, therefore as in an ideal setting the mother to be compelled to have nutritious freshly made homecooked food.
However, it’s worth noting that there are many would-be pandemic parents who would be extra precautious and avoid pregnancy in a time of such widespread uncertainty.
When a couple plans to expand the family, the first thought is of finance. Right now couples in childbearing age are already worried about their own futures as they even have to face unemployment. Just like the aftermath of the Great Recession, the economic downturn that begin in late 2007, financially there is a certain uncertainty which could be the prime reason why couples would postpone -- or even forgo -- decisions to have children.
Biology wise too, anxiety and stress anyway bring down the libido and are not conducive to fertility.
Next comes health. Like we all know a pregnant lady has additional healthcare needs and would require multiple visits to the hospital or clinic for several tests, scans, and vaccinations over the 9 month period. In this time of crisis, the hospitals are already overloaded with corona patients and are highly infectious zones. Even people with mild ailments are advised to stay at home or rely on telemedicine. So deliberately getting pregnant and then being exposed to such an environment in a lockdown does not sound wise.
Why are we interested in this idea?
Given strong contradictions to both the reasoning, the more interesting question may not be whether or not there will be one, but rather, why we’re so invested in the idea in the first place. The idea of children and childbirth represents some optimism for the future at a time when our own seems bleaker and bleaker. Through the eyes of an illusory future generation, we can recreate an image that we knew existed a few months ago and use it to overpower the harsh reality of the present scenario which might continue for predictable weeks, months, and beyond.
Only time can tell if we will witness this new generation of ‘lockdownbabies’ or not, but if we do, it’ll indeed be fascinating to see their traits. You never know, they might be really good at self-isolation!
(By Madhuri Shukla)
