Idiocracy image from here
Back in 2006 the movie” Idiocracy” came out in theaters as a science fiction comedy. The general plot of the story is Private Joe Bauers was selected for a Human Hibernation project for his “average” intelligence because the others chosen before him, with high intelligence, had wasted their talents when they were woken up during time of peace. Interestingly enough when we woke up he was the most intelligent person in this new age society because everyone else now had lower IQ’s. The whole world was in disarray from the lack of a healthy ecosystem coupled with a world full of “below average” thinkers. It was up to him to use his above average intelligence to make the world a better place.
Those of you who have seen this movie would agree with me in saying there is a low likelihood that our society would get to this state of declined intelligence in the future. However, studies are showing that this movie may not be too far off from its predictions.
Dr. Satoshi Kanazawa, a researcher from the London School of Economics, presents his research observations in his book “The Intelligence Paradox” showing that for every 15 extra IQ points a woman’s maternal urge drops by 25%.This information did not come at a surprise to me because it seems pretty clear when I stop and take a look at the highly intelligent women I know who strive for higher degrees and/or positions in their career path.
- I have had friends tell me they feel they have to out man men to get ahead in their career. This meant they had to consider their educational and professional growth goals before even thinking about if they want a family at all. They are stuck in this space of not being sure if they could in fact have it all.
- A couple years ago I was told by a female manger that if I wanted to have kids I needed to consider waiting at least a year and a half before I start otherwise I wouldn’t be able to advance like I wanted.
- I knew a Doctor who said that it would make more sense for her to quit and be a stay home mom than to work full time due to the price of day care for her baby. This meant she had to trade one dream for another to make things work.
We can come up with a lot of other different examples as to why women of higher intelligence are having less or no children when compared to other women, however, it seems clear to me that there is more at play than a matter of intelligence. One argument in particular seems to come up the most even outside of my conversations with friends.
- There are more women who want more out of their career but their work environments are not always conducive or supportive to growing a family AND advancing in a career at the same time (though it can be done).
In my opinion society tells us that we can’t have both an awesome career and freaking amazing family life with kids whose lives we are completely a part of. But how do we go about changing this ideology of one or another? How do we make this more a reality than a crazy dream to strive for? What support is needed to get there?
There is some light I will shed next week on this topic but you’ll have to wait 🙂