Counting politicians' children by ideology isn't what it seems
A viral comparison of children between progressives and anti-progressives mixes presidents with YouTubers. Real data or cherry picking? An analysis.
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
Who wins the fertility battle: 'pogre' or 'anti-pogre'?
A count circulating online compares former presidents and left-wing ministers with YouTubers and libertarian economists. The former almost all have two or three children. The latter, for the most part, none. But is it real data or a selection trap?
The list pitting 'proge' against 'anti-proge'
On the 'pogre' side appear Felipe González (3 children), José María Aznar (3), Mariano Rajoy (2), José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero (2), Pedro Sánchez (2), Alberto Núñez Feijóo (1), Pablo Iglesias and Irene Montero (3), Gabriel Rufián (2), Arnaldo Otegi (2), Yolanda Díaz (1), Félix Bolaños (1) and Juanma Moreno (3). On the 'anti' side, childless, are Javier Milei, Agustín Laje, Gisbert, Roma Gallardo and a long list of libertarian influencers.
The problem is obvious. Comparing heads of state with YouTubers is not the same thing. Critics of the count call it 'cherry picking': picking only the cherries that suit you. A former president is 70 years old and had children long ago; a 35-year-old YouTuber may have them later. Age, environment and public exposure shape any comparison.
The pogre' 'demographic trap'
Beyond the list, the real debate is different: not how many children the 'proge' have, but when they have them and with what message. Some argue that pogre delay parenthood, having children 'late, badly and with an ideological backpack tied around their necks'. Social imitation, this argument goes, leads many pogre couples to copy their conservative neighbour first (house, wedding, two kids) only to discover later that their own ideas don't fit that project.
Another analysis points the opposite way: the 'proge' with real power don't practise what they preach. They have children, fences, private schools, and don't hesitate to call the police if an 'undesirable' comes near their gated community. Elite hypocrisy, of course.
And the future?
The discussion ends without reliable data and with plenty of ideology. Some predict the children of pogre will be re-educated and abandon the doctrine. Others reply that the traditional family is already winning by a landslide. The only certainty is that, with material like this, the debate on fertility and politics will run and run. Meanwhile, the 'childless' on both sides keep arguing online. The future is tradi... or maybe not. Everyone's got it all figured out.
A count circulating online compares former presidents and left-wing ministers with YouTubers and libertarian economists. The former almost all have two or three children. The latter, for the most part, none. But is it real data or a selection trap?
The list pitting 'proge' against 'anti-proge'
On the 'pogre' side appear Felipe González (3 children), José María Aznar (3), Mariano Rajoy (2), José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero (2), Pedro Sánchez (2), Alberto Núñez Feijóo (1), Pablo Iglesias and Irene Montero (3), Gabriel Rufián (2), Arnaldo Otegi (2), Yolanda Díaz (1), Félix Bolaños (1) and Juanma Moreno (3). On the 'anti' side, childless, are Javier Milei, Agustín Laje, Gisbert, Roma Gallardo and a long list of libertarian influencers.
The problem is obvious. Comparing heads of state with YouTubers is not the same thing. Critics of the count call it 'cherry picking': picking only the cherries that suit you. A former president is 70 years old and had children long ago; a 35-year-old YouTuber may have them later. Age, environment and public exposure shape any comparison.
The pogre' 'demographic trap'
Beyond the list, the real debate is different: not how many children the 'proge' have, but when they have them and with what message. Some argue that pogre delay parenthood, having children 'late, badly and with an ideological backpack tied around their necks'. Social imitation, this argument goes, leads many pogre couples to copy their conservative neighbour first (house, wedding, two kids) only to discover later that their own ideas don't fit that project.
Another analysis points the opposite way: the 'proge' with real power don't practise what they preach. They have children, fences, private schools, and don't hesitate to call the police if an 'undesirable' comes near their gated community. Elite hypocrisy, of course.
And the future?
The discussion ends without reliable data and with plenty of ideology. Some predict the children of pogre will be re-educated and abandon the doctrine. Others reply that the traditional family is already winning by a landslide. The only certainty is that, with material like this, the debate on fertility and politics will run and run. Meanwhile, the 'childless' on both sides keep arguing online. The future is tradi... or maybe not. Everyone's got it all figured out.
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Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (72 replies).
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