According to an article in the New York Times, sociologist Andrew Hacker sez:

“Children are the most expensive item in every family’s budget, especially given all the gear kids expect today. So it’s a good place to cut back when you’re uncertain about the future.”

Wait a minute, kids expect “gear?”

Is he talking about Bugaboo strollers? Because no infant I know cares if they are being carted about town in a Bugaboo or a Graco.

It’s all about the parents.

If parents could stop playing reindeer games when it comes to who has the most exclusive stroller, or highchair, or whatever, then people could certainly save a lot of money. There are really only a few necessities needed, and a thousand dollar stroller isn’t one of them.

But, the article does go on to state the birth rates decline in years of economic recession and depression, which is again quite logical. No one wants to start a family in a time of stress and uncertainty, especially if a job has been lost.

It still makes me sad to think that people might not have a kid because they can’t get them all the “gear” that is expected.

Harry Hamlin, we hardly knew ye.  Apparently your pouty lips were not enough to sway the readership into voting for you, and you had a very paltry seven percent of the vote.

Ouch.

Well, if Dennis Quaid wins this next round, off to the Hall of Fame he shall go.  But, he might have a tough time against this competitor. He’s known for being “pretty” and he is very pretty indeed. He got his start in the early 80’s playing mostly arrogant jerks. Which was kind of believable because of all the prettiness.

VERSUS