We've turned children into rare orchids, contributing to their declining numbers

The author reflects on a shift in parenting styles, noting how his 16-year-old son's school expedition required parents to drive participants to the starting point. This level of parental involvement, where even a short trip from Bratislava to Modra necessitates chauffeuring, strikes him as ironic given the expedition's aim to foster independence.

He contrasts this with his own childhood, where such parental intervention would have been unthinkable. His parents, while supportive, prioritized his self-reliance and likely would have found taking significant time off work for such a task unnecessary. This observation aligns with sociologist Anna Micał-Čujová's description of the "Korean model" of parenting, where children are viewed as "projects" and parents engage in a competitive pursuit of providing the best resources and opportunities, a dynamic linked to South Korea's world-low birth rate.

The article suggests that the intense pressure to be a "good" parent in contemporary society is a significant deterrent to having more children. This pressure manifests not only in substantial financial investments, comparable to buying a one-room apartment, but also in the considerable time and effort required for a child's comprehensive development. The author cites editor Ria Gehrerová's reflection on motherhood, where the desire to "experience something new" did not extend to having a second child, framing children as a "complication."

This competitive and demanding approach to modern parenting, characterized by constant investment and a fear of neglecting a child's development, creates a high barrier. The author implies that the perceived cost and effort involved in raising children today make the prospect of having multiple children less appealing for many.