Selfish Reasons to Have More Kids

Selfish Reasons to Have More Kids is a 2011 book by George Mason University economics professor Bryan Caplan arguing that people often put too much effort into child-rearing, and as a result, they are scared off the idea of having kids. Caplan's book urged parents to relax with respect to child-rearing. He also argued that as the perceived costs (in terms of child-rearing expense and effort) of having kids fell, it made sense to have more kids based on the basic theory of supply and demand.

Reception

Popular press: book reviews

Jonathan Last, author of What to Expect When No One's Expecting and editor at The Weekly Standard, reviewed Caplan's book for the Wall Street Journal. The book was also reviewed by The Guardian, RealClearMarkets, and the Washington Times.

Popular press and media: InterViews and debates

Caplan wrote a piece in the Wall Street Journal around the date of the release of the book making his case succinctly. Will Wilkinson and Laura Carroll wrote separate reviews in response, also in the Wall Street Journal. Caplan responded to both on his own blog, framing their critiques in terms of different demand curves for the demand for kids. Caplan, Wilkinson, and Carroll also participated in a live chat for the WSJ.

Caplan debated "Tiger Mom" Amy Chua in The Guardian in June 2011 regarding the merits of different parenting styles. The debate pit the approach and arguments put forward by Caplan in his book against the approach and arguments put forward by Amy Chua in her book Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother.

Caplan was interviewed AbOUT his book by the New York Times Economix blog as well as by the Freakonomics blog. He has also guest blogged for Freakonomics. Caplan's book and Freakonomics guest posts were also picked up by the New York Times parenting blog.

Caplan appeared on Fox and Friends where he was interviewed by Gretchen Carlson about his advice on child-rearing and his book Selfish Reasons to Have More Kids.

Caplan's book was also featured in a story on National Public Radio.

Book events and interviews outside the mainstream media

Caplan was the lead speaker at a Cato Institute event dedicated to the book. Others speaking at the event included Charles Murray and Adam Schaeffer.

Caplan appeared on EconTalk with host Russ Roberts in May 2011 to discuss his book.

See also

• Lenore Skenazy, author of a book about free-range kids
• The Nurture Assumption, a book by Judith Rich Harris arguing against the importance of nurture in shaping long-term traits of children