‘Teach the fear of not having children’: Elon Musk started a debate with his controversial tweet

Elon Musk sparked controversy with a recent tweet suggesting that society should teach the fear of not being able to have children rather than the fear of pregnancy. The comment garnered both support and criticism, contributing to ongoing debates about declining birth rates and Musk’s views on population issues.

Musk, who recently became a father for the twelfth time earlier this year, has consistently expressed concern about global underpopulation. He believes that encouraging people, especially those with high IQs, to have more children is crucial to the future of civilization. Musk’s extended family underscores his commitment to this belief.

The billionaire has children with three women: five with his first wife, author Justine Musk, three with Canadian musician Grimes, and three with Neuralink’s chief operating officer, Shivon Zilis. According to Bloomberg, Zilis, who had twin children with Musk in 2021, reportedly gave birth to her third child at the beginning of this year.

Zilis, a Yale graduate with a background in economics and philosophy, has been an important figure in Musk’s life both professionally and personally. He joined Neuralink in 2017 and previously worked at OpenAI, another startup founded by Musk. Their personal relationship became public in 2022 when they petitioned to have both parents’ last names added as the middle names for their twin children.

Musk’s tweet aligns with his pro-natalist views, but critics argue it downplays the challenges of pregnancy and parenthood. Many highlight the risks women face during pregnancy, such as rising maternal mortality rates in the United States. Grimes, who has three children with Musk, has openly discussed the life-threatening complications she experienced during her first pregnancy, leading the couple to opt for a surrogate for their second child.

Supporters of Musk’s statement argue that it challenges a culture that emphasizes the difficulties of parenting and ignores its joys and social benefits. Musk’s views align with the pro-natalist movement, which advocates higher birth rates in developed countries. But critics raise concerns about the movement’s links to eugenics and potentially misogynistic undertones.

As Musk continues to defend his vision for humanity’s future, his controversial remarks are expected to remain a central issue in public and political discourse.