I definitely think that the social benefits do make a difference, even with a higher tax burden. "Of course, the French have all kinds of public services that help to make having kids more appealing and less stressful. Parents don't have to pay for preschool, worry about health insurance or save for college. Many get monthly cash allotments—wired directly into their bank accounts—just for having kids" (from the article).
Switching to a different aspect of the article, I’m pretty sure DS2 would fail Walter Mischel’s marshmellow test, although he would never give up trying to convince you to give him the second marshmellow anyway.
I’m curious… how many people here would say that they have or had a well-behaved toddler? (as described by the article - patient, didn’t interrupt, obeyed “no” the first time, played happily in the sandbox/park, and could sit through a restaurant dinner in their high chair?)
