Deciding whether or not to have children is a deeply personal choice, yet society often assumes that everyone should become parents. However, parenthood is not a requirement in life. There is no universal right or wrong answer, and each individual must make the decision that aligns with their values and circumstances.
One factor that appears to influence this decision is intelligence. Research by evolutionary psychologist Satoshi Kanazawa suggests a link between a woman's intelligence and her desire to have children. According to his findings, as a woman's IQ increases, her preference for having children declines. In his book “The Intelligence Paradox,” Kanazawa explains that for every 15-point increase in IQ, a woman's desire for children drops by 25 percent.
Intelligence plays an important role in life, affecting education, job success, and health. While genes help shape intelligence, studies show that the environment - like schooling and parenting - matters just as much. This suggests that intelligence is shaped by both nature and nurture rather than genetics alone.
Studies also show that firstborn children often have higher intelligence. This is mostly because parents tend to have higher expectations for their first child compared to their younger siblings. This supports the idea that parenting and environment are key in shaping intelligence.
While genetics may set the foundation for intelligence, the environment determines whether individuals reach their full potential. Understanding the balance between nature and nurture can help shape better educational and parenting practices for future generations.
Picture: A very smart mother with her only child (Designer)
