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Why do people in poverty stricken countries continue to reproduce even though they know their children are likely to starve to death?

Dr. Aris Thorne
Dr. Aris Thorne
Senior Science Editor · Feb 20, 2026 · Updated Apr 13, 2026

Because if you keep reproducing, maybe you will get lucky and some of your kids will grow up to adulthood, get a wife, and farm the scrap of land you own and provide for you when you are old and can't work anymore. You know, like how people did for pretty much all of recorded history.

56
Words

1 min
Read Time

#273
of 500 in Space & Astronomy

-18%
vs Category Avg

The Short Answer

Because if you keep reproducing, maybe you will get lucky and some of your kids will grow up to adulthood, get a wife, and farm the scrap of land you own and provide for you when you are old and can't work anymore. You know, like how people did for pretty much all of recorded history.

Analysis

Key Concepts: Keep, reproducing, maybe

This explanation focuses on keep, reproducing, maybe and spans 56 words across 2 sentences. The depth is typical for Space & Astronomy questions (category average: 68 words), striking a balance between accessibility and completeness.

What This Answer Covers

This is a focused, single-point answer that gets directly to the core of the question without detours.

How This Compares in Space & Astronomy

Ranked #273 of 500 Space & Astronomy questions by answer depth (top 55%). This is in the concise tier — a focused explanation that prioritizes clarity over exhaustiveness. Many readers prefer this level of directness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a simple explanation for why people in poverty stricken countries continue to reproduce even though they know their children are likely to starve to death?

Because if you keep reproducing, maybe you will get lucky and some of your kids will grow up to adulthood, get a wife, and farm the scrap of land you own and provide for you when you are old and can't work anymore. You know, like how people did for…

How detailed is this explanation compared to similar Space & Astronomy questions?

This is a focused answer at 56 words, ranked #273 of 500 Space & Astronomy questions by depth. The key concepts covered are keep, reproducing, maybe.

What approach does this answer take to explain people in poverty stricken countries continue to reproduce e?

The explanation uses root cause analysis across 56 words. It is categorized under Space & Astronomy and addresses the question through 1 analytical lens.