Magatte Wade Advocates for Renewed Celebration of Large Families, Citing Media's Role in Shifting Societal Norms

Austin, TX – Senegalese entrepreneur and advocate for economic freedom, Magatte Wade, has publicly called for a societal shift towards celebrating larger families, suggesting that popular culture plays a significant role in shaping demographic trends. In a recent social media post, Wade directly linked media representation to family size, stating, "Want more people everywhere to have more children? Then let’s celebrate big families again. More shows like “Eight is Enough” and less like “Sex in the City”." This statement aligns with her broader philosophy emphasizing traditional values and critiquing certain aspects of Western cultural influence.

Wade, known for her work promoting free markets and entrepreneurship in Africa, often highlights the importance of cultural and societal factors in national development. Her advocacy extends beyond economic policy to include what she perceives as foundational societal structures, such as family. She argues that media narratives can subtly influence personal choices, including decisions about family formation and size.

Global fertility rates have been in a steady decline for decades, with the average number of births per woman falling from around five in the 1960s to approximately 2.2 in 2024. This decline is observed across most regions, influenced by factors such as increased access to education and contraception, urbanization, and changing economic conditions that make raising children more costly. The United Nations projects global fertility to fall below the replacement level of 2.1 births per woman by 2050.

Wade's call for a cultural celebration of large families suggests a belief that shifting societal perceptions, partly through media, could encourage higher birth rates. Her reference to "Eight is Enough," a 1970s television series featuring a family with eight children, and "Sex in the City," a show depicting urban single life, underscores her view that media can either promote or detract from the ideal of large families. This perspective posits that cultural narratives are as influential as economic or policy incentives in shaping demographic outcomes.

While governments in some low-fertility nations have implemented pro-natal policies, such as financial incentives and parental leave, their impact on significantly increasing birth rates has been limited. Wade's focus on cultural celebration and media influence adds another dimension to the ongoing global discussion about declining fertility and its long-term societal implications. Her stance advocates for a return to values that historically supported larger family structures.