Having kids is one of the most personal decisions someone can make, so why does everyone else seem to have an opinion on it? In Part 1 of The Pressure to Procreate, Explained: The Language of Baby Pressure, Cin is joined by Asa and Brooklyn to unpack pronatalism: the policy, practice, or belief that encourages people to have children. We break down the language of baby pressure, from “when are you starting a family?” to “you’ll change your mind,” and discuss how phrases like childfree, childless, family planning, and settling down reveal hidden assumptions about adulthood, gender, and family. This episode also explores the myth of maternal instinct, the different expectations placed on mothers and fathers, and why supporting people who want children is not the same as pressuring everyone to have them. Then we begin the history section with Anthony Comstock, Comstockery, and how restricting access to birth control information became a form of reproductive control. This is Part 1 of a two-part lesson. In Part 2, we continue into race suicide, eugenics, fascist motherhood campaigns, the myth of the traditional family, and why “family values” often comes without actual family support. Content Note: This episode discusses reproductive pressure, pregnancy, birth control and abortion access, infertility, eugenics, racism, white nationalism, forced or coerced reproduction, childfree stigma, and social pressure around parenthood. 📚Resources & Next StepsMosley, Tonya. “What’s behind the ‘pronatalist’ movement to boost the birth rate?” NPR / Fresh Air, April 30, 2025.Crays, Allyson “Ally.” “The Rise of Pronatalism in the U.S.: The Risks to Reproductive and Sexual Health Outcomes.” O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law, Georgetown Law, August 26, 2025.National Women’s Law Center Staff. “Baby Bonuses and Motherhood Medals: Why We Shouldn’t Trust the Pronatalist Movement.” National Women’s Law Center, August 13, 2025.Forati, Rasadokht, and Deborah Bartz. “The Rise and Fall and Rise of Pronatalism: A Disingenuous Policy that Harms the Health of People and Society.” Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics, vol. 53, no. 3, Fall 2025, pp. 435–443. Published online July 15, 2025.Hochl, Karin. “Overview of Surrogacy in Switzerland.” Schaub Hochl Rechtsanwälte AG, August 2022.Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell. “Pregnancy is Insane.” YouTube, September 23, 2025.Jackdaw. “You’ve Been Lied to About Cavewomen.” YouTube, May 28, 2026. Follow along with this lesson: View the full presentation here. 💌 Have a question? Submit it anonymously (Your question might be featured in a future lesson 👀) 💭 Be part of the conversation: What’s something you’ve always wondered about human sexuality? Join the discussion on social ↓ 📲 Follow & connect: Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/abroadsexeducation/ TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@abroadsexeducation YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@abroadsexeducation 📝 Want more like this? Join the newsletter for extra resources, reflections, and exclusive content. 🌐 Explore everything: Visit the website → www.ABroadSexEducation.com
