Holy Expensive Batman!

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According to an MSN Article I read, giving an American child a simple, basic upbringing can cost the average parent a QUARTER OF A MILLION DOLLARS. - I did not say anything fancy like designer clothes or University Degrees. I'm talking your basics. Basics like bargain Walmart clothes to clad growing bodies. Basic Walmart Supercenter balanced diet of meat, veg, fruit, starch, the occasional treat to feed growing metabolisms. Roof over the head for shelter, and basic Kindergarten through high school education. - This cost can skyrocket very quickly if said child has health problems of any nature, like Down's Syndrome can be like a Hoover in a Parent's pocket. - Americans are responding to the inflationary costs of Parenting by having fewer children so they can focus more resources to each individual offspring they do have. The average family size in America is about 2.3 per woman. That is just above replacement of population. Europe has an even lower rate of child bearing. - Some analysts see problems with this low rate of child bearing. They call it the "age quake" or "flipping the population pyramid". Older people will, if more children are not born, out number children. There will not be sufficient adults to support the numerous elders' pensions. These elders will find themselves with extended lives and wanting to retire before frailty makes a mockery of their quality of life.