Why is fertility in decline around the world? What is the long-term social impact of this decline,

and why is marriage so central to fertility rates? We'll discuss these questions and a whole lot more

with our guest, University of Mississippi economist Dr. Clara Piano. I'm your host, Scott Ray,

and this is Think Biblically from Talbot School of Theology at Biola University.

Clara, welcome.

So glad to have you with us.

I know you're part of the Acton University this week, but great to have you take some time out to talk with us about this really important subject.

Thank you so much for having me, Scott.

Yeah.

So you are in the age range of folks that are being criticized for low birth

rates and full disclosure, you were married and have two kids of your own. So what has sparked

your interest in this subject, particularly as an economist? No, that's right. So I am married with two kids, as you said, and I finished my economics Ph.G right before doing

either of those things.

But I was always interested in the role that the family played in society.

It was very clear to me as I left my own house and went to college that family

life determined a lot and explained a lot about the world that I saw around me. And so I wanted to

study that empirically and theoretically as an economist. I started that research in graduate

school. And then, of course, I was lucky to have those experiences right after graduate school.

And so I have both a personal and a professional interest.

And it's really having that personal piece then has helped me appreciate the fact that we really can't raise children alone.

We need tons of support, tons of help. I'm so blessed

to have help from my husband and our families and our church and even our work environment.

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