Reply #23: Here's a utopian idea...

[CanuckAmok]

Figure out the average cost to the State of contributing to the raising of one child.

Say, for the sake of argument, it's $50,000 (probably not out of the question, considering the cost of schools, financial assistance for those in need, "baby bonus" tax credits for all parents regardless of income(do you have those in the USA?), medical costs, etc).

Then with that amount in mind, calculate the additional cost to the State of contributing to the raising of one child born to someone under 23. My admittedly simplistic view is that in our society, people under 23 are probably not best equipped, financially or emotionally, to be parents.

Say that works out to be another $20,000.

So start a programme that every woman under 23 gets a tax-free lump-sum gift of $15,000 on her 23rd birthday if she hasn't had a child. She can use that money to travel, pay off her student/consumer debt, put down on buying a home, give to charity, invest in the stock market, put on the daily double, or even invest in a college fund for the eventual Junior.

Society would save money, more young people would think twice before flirting with potential pregnancy, and there would be fewer unwanted children being born.