Children of men coming true?

[Skeptisk]

Saw a news headline in Denmark yesterday. Apparently a recent survey showed that a quarter of Danish men between 18 and 21 have such poor quality sperm that they would struggle to get a woman pregnant. I didn’t get to read the article but I assume that isn’t normal. I have read elsewhere that sperm counts have been dropping significantly. I don’t think people know why although pollution is being raised as a possible cause.

Are we heading for a world like Children of Men where people struggle to have children?

Another “fact” I heard today (I can’t vouch for its accuracy) is that historically only 40% of men have fathered children compared to 80% of women. I expect there are lots of reasons for that. Still it means that incels are not a new phenomenon.

[Zarco]

I'm calling BS on that stat about women fathering children.

[bigandclever]

Skeptisk said:

Saw a news headline in Denmark yesterday. Apparently a recent survey showed that a quarter of Danish men between 18 and 21 have such poor quality sperm that they would struggle to get a woman pregnant. I didn’t get to read the article but I assume that isn’t normal.

Would it be deeply controversial to suggest we read the article behind the headline? I know this is NP&E but could we at least try ?

[Caddyshack]

If it is coming true then it could well save the planet and that is a good thing Imo but it would crash many economies eventually as they are too hooked on growth.

[Four Litre]

I find it staggering how many people I know who have daughters only. I would say 80% of my friends have only daughters. I was lucky enough to have one of each. I’ve always thought it must be linked to pollution/ plastics etc?

[Sheepshanks]

Four Litre said:

I find it staggering how many people I know who have daughters only. I would say 80% of my friends have only daughters. I was lucky enough to have one of each. I’ve always thought it must be linked to pollution/ plastics etc?

The numbers have been very steady for many years - around 105 boys for every 100 girls.

We had two girls and have two granddaughters - all we ever seem to hear about is baby girls. So we were astonished to find out how outnumbered the granddaughters are by boys in their classes at school. At separate schools (just normal state ones) boys outnumber girls 2 to 1.

[king arthur]

Sheepshanks said:

The numbers have been very steady for many years - around 105 boys for every 100 girls.

We had two girls and have two granddaughters - all we ever seem to hear about is baby girls. So we were astonished to find out how outnumbered the granddaughters are by boys in their classes at school. At separate schools (just normal state ones) boys outnumber girls 2 to 1.

Whereas in Eastern Europe it's the other way round. So, Go East, young man.

[LimaDelta]

If I were a betting man, I'd say diet a bigger influence than pollution. Time will tell I suppose.

[Mobile Chicane]

Four Litre said:

I find it staggering how many people I know who have daughters only. I would say 80% of my friends have only daughters. I was lucky enough to have one of each. I’ve always thought it must be linked to pollution/ plastics etc?

Boy or girl? It's in the father's genes (funnily enough):

A study of hundreds of years of family trees suggests a man's genes play a role in him having sons or daughters. Men inherit a tendency to have more sons or more daughters from their parents. This means that a man with many brothers is more likely to have sons, while a man with many sisters is more likely to have daughters.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/0812...

[Terminator X]

No bad thing imho, less babies would see the 8bn world population come down.

TX.

[BabySharkDD]

Could be down to the increase in vegetarian/ vegan diets? They often have a B12 / iron deficiency leading to lower sperm counts.

[Gecko1978]

I think aging population is more a worry than galling sperms counts. According youtube both China an Russia dying out by 2070

[Douglas Quaid]

Plastic is the reason behind it. Food and water is stored in it, it leeches into them and affects fertility. I don’t drink bottled water but it’s nearly impossible to avoid all plastics.

[croyde]

BabySharkDD said:

Could be down to the increase in vegetarian/ vegan diets? They often have a B12 / iron deficiency leading to lower sperm counts.

Every vegan I have known has been very sickly.

Maybe it's because we are omnivores eh

Chap at work is vegan, only 30, works out a lot.

He's always knackered, uses up all his sick leave and then most of his holidays off being ill.

Eat some meat pies mate, I always say to him.

[Skeptisk]

bigandclever said:

Skeptisk said:

Saw a news headline in Denmark yesterday. Apparently a recent survey showed that a quarter of Danish men between 18 and 21 have such poor quality sperm that they would struggle to get a woman pregnant. I didn’t get to read the article but I assume that isn’t normal.

Would it be deeply controversial to suggest we read the article behind the headline? I know this is NP&E but could we at least try ?

I saw it as a headline on the TV on the bus, which show news headlines here in Denmark.

[mwstewart]

Douglas Quaid said:

Plastic is the reason behind it. Food and water is stored in it, it leeches into them and affects fertility. I don’t drink bottled water but it’s nearly impossible to avoid all plastics.

I was going to write that. I wonder if hormones from the contraceptive pill that end up in drinking water have an effect, too.

[Monkeylegend]

Skeptisk said:

bigandclever said:

Skeptisk said:

Saw a news headline in Denmark yesterday. Apparently a recent survey showed that a quarter of Danish men between 18 and 21 have such poor quality sperm that they would struggle to get a woman pregnant. I didn’t get to read the article but I assume that isn’t normal.

Would it be deeply controversial to suggest we read the article behind the headline? I know this is NP&E but could we at least try ?

I saw it as a headline on the TV on the bus, which show news headlines here in Denmark.

But what about the other 75%, they should be able to do enough damage to keep the ladies happy.

[Caddyshack]

Douglas Quaid said:

Plastic is the reason behind it. Food and water is stored in it, it leeches into them and affects fertility. I don’t drink bottled water but it’s nearly impossible to avoid all plastics.

I think we have been aware of food grade plastics for years so not sure it does leech in like that?

[Sheepshanks]

Skeptisk said:

bigandclever said:

Skeptisk said:

Saw a news headline in Denmark yesterday. Apparently a recent survey showed that a quarter of Danish men between 18 and 21 have such poor quality sperm that they would struggle to get a woman pregnant. I didn’t get to read the article but I assume that isn’t normal.

Would it be deeply controversial to suggest we read the article behind the headline? I know this is NP&E but could we at least try ?

I saw it as a headline on the TV on the bus, which show news headlines here in Denmark.

Googling shows it’s been commented on as a worldwide issue for many years, with Denmark being one of the most affected countries.

However one review suggests falling sperm count doesn’t necessarily mean low fertility. https://bcmj.org/articles/global-decline-male-fert...

[Driller]

Zarco said:

I'm calling BS on that stat about women fathering children.

Guardian article says otherwise:

https://amp.theguardian.com/science/2014/sep/24/wo...