A lot of people are concerned about the low birth rates in western societies today.
In several posts I have argued that this concern is exaggerated. Here I pointed out that current birth rates are out of evolutionary equilibrium, and we should expect them to rise again, and here I reported some evidence that this may be beginning to happen.
On a lighter note, I think I also mentioned somewhere that there seemed to be a lot of young female celebrities having babies recently. Since then I’ve noticed several magazine headlines and articles about the ’celebrity baby boom’, so it seems to be more than just my imagination…………
I haven’t done any systematic research on the subject, but here is a list of some of the leading actresses and fashion models having babies over the last few years (one baby each unless otherwise stated):
Actresses:
Gwyneth Paltrow, Uma Thurman (2), Reese Witherspoon (2), Denise Richards, Kate Hudson, Cate Blanchett (2) Julia Roberts (pregnant with twins), Laura Dern (pregnant with her 2nd), Liv Tyler (pregnant), Catherine Zeta-Jones (2), Jennifer Connelly (2), Mira Sorvino (reportedly pregnant), Kate Winslet (2), Thandie Newton, Samantha Morton, Kate Beckinsale.
Models:
Claudia Schiffer (pregnant with her 2nd), Kate Moss, Christy Turlington, Elle McPherson (2), Helena Christensen, Stella Tenant (2), Jasmine Guinness, Nikki Taylor (had twins before her career was cut short by a car crash), Stephanie Seymour (pregnant with her 4th), Kirsty Hume, Kristen McNemany, Carolyn Murphy, Amber Valetta, Trish Goff, Angela Lindvall, Natalia Vodianova.
I think it would have been very unusual in the 70s or 80s for a young actress as successful as Reese Witherspoon or Uma Thurman to have two babies at their age. The opportunity cost of each baby must be high, as it takes at least 6 months out of the actress’s working schedule. That means missing out on at least one major movie role, and probably over a million dollars in lifetime earnings.
Admittedly some of the models (e.g. Christy Turlington and Elle McPherson) had passed their peak (and in Christy’s case semi-retired) before having a baby, but this can’t be said of e.g. Angie Lindvall or Natalia Vodianova. Having a baby is even more costly for a model than for an actress, as models have a shorter peak career and are more dependent on keeping a perfect figure.
I’m not claiming any deep significance for celebrities as such, but the celebrity baby boom may be part of a shift in attitudes in society generally away from total career-orientation. And celebrities must have some impact as role-models: when other young women see Gwyneth Paltrow or Kate Hudson carrying their babies everywhere, and gushing about the joys of motherhood, it is bound to affect them to some extent, if only to reassure them that wanting babies is not ’uncool’.
Posted by David B at 04:52 AM