America Needs More Children. JD Vance’s Shame Game Won’t Get Us There.

Despite concerns over the falling birthrate, especially on the right, the Times Opinion columnist David French recognizes that the push to have more families — and bigger ones — has become problematic. In this audio essay, French explains why he thinks the recent political conversation on the topic reveals “the worst form of natalism.”

Below is a lightly edited transcript of the audio piece. To listen to this piece, click the play button below.

America Needs More Children. JD Vance’s Shame Game Won’t Get Us There.

David French argues the solution is simpler than we think.

David French: Like many conservatives, I believe the falling birthrate is a very important topic in the United States and in the world. And I consider myself a natalist. But I do have some profound concerns with how natalism is being discussed on the right.