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Reading Our Times · Jul 15, 2025 · 45 min

What are children for? In conversation with Anastasia Berg

Western societies have fallen out of love with (having) children, and all too often this is treated as a policy problem. But in reality, it's a much deeper personal and philosophical one. What has changed in our attitudes to having children? How do we understand the role and standing and "purpose" of children in society? What, in effect, do we think children are for? This week Nick Spencer talks with Anastasia Berg about her book co-authored with Rachel Wiseman, ‘What are children for? On Ambivalence and Choice’ Purchase a copy of their book here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/What-Are-Children-Ambivalence-Choice/dp/0861549481

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Western societies have fallen out of love with (having) children, and all too often this is treated as a policy problem. But in reality, it's a much deeper personal and philosophical one. 

What has changed in our attitudes to having children? How do we understand the role and standing and "purpose" of children in society? What, in effect, do we think children are for? 

This week Nick Spencer talks with Anastasia Berg about her book co-authored with Rachel Wiseman, ‘What are children for? On Ambivalence and Choice’ 

Purchase a copy of their book here:  https://www.amazon.co.uk/What-Are-Children-Ambivalence-Choice/dp/0861549481

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