An America with Fewer Children
Channel: New America
Date: 24/06/2013

An America with Fewer Children
What California's Changing Population Tells Us About the Growing Importance of Kids and Families

In 1970, children made up 33 percent of California's population. By 2030, that figure is expected to decline to just 21 percent. A declining child population is evident in many Northeast and Great Lakes states as well. As the baby boomers age, is society prepared to have fewer working adults serving more retirees? Is our education system built to develop the potential of children in low-income and immigrant families who will comprise the bulk of the next generation? Are we supporting the parents and grandparents raising them?

This presentation by Dowell Myers, demographer and professor in the Sol Price School of Public Policy at the University of Southern California is followed by a wide-ranging discussion of how population changes should inform education and family policies. Myers directs the Population Dynamics Research Group and is the author of the award-winning 2007 book Immigrants and Boomers and numerous studies promoting the intergenerational perspective in planning and policy making. He is also the author of the paper, California's Diminishing Resource: Children

PARTICIPANTS

Presenter
Dowell Myers
Demographer and Professor, Sol Price School of Public Policy at the University of Southern California
Author, California's Diminishing Resource: Children
Author, Immigrants and Boomers 

Discussant
Lisa Guernsey
Director, Early Education Initiative, New America Foundation

http://newamerica.net/events/2013/an_america_with_fewer_children