The Impact of Elon Musk’s Personal Choices on Society
As someone who generally prefers to steer clear of the media circus surrounding Elon Musk, I find myself reluctantly drawn into the conversation after recent reports have surfaced about him allegedly fathering yet another child. This time, the claims come from 26-year-old right-wing influencer Ashley St Clair, with whom Musk purportedly connected online.
While Musk has neither confirmed nor denied St Clair’s assertions about him being the father, he did respond to a comment on X with a puzzling “whoa,” after a user accused St Clair of attempting to ensnare him for years. What troubles me most about this situation is that it is being celebrated online as a sort of victory.
For instance, Tom Harwood from GB News took to X to proclaim, “Musk puts his money where his mouth is when it comes to pronatalism. Smart and successful people should procreate more.” This sentiment has been echoed by thousands congratulating Musk on what would, if true, be his 13th child.
I don’t have a particular obsession with the traditional nuclear family. I myself am planning to expand my family with someone who is not the biological father of my existing child; my household is very much in line with the modern concept of family. However, I can attest that raising a child in a non-traditional setup demands a certain level of maturity and emotional resilience, especially when it comes to effective co-parenting.
It’s tempting to convince myself that the actions of one eccentric billionaire like Musk can’t possibly influence the broader society. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. Musk wields considerable power, and his choices can affect how the world behaves around him. I doubt he is intentionally trying to inspire a movement through his personal life, but the implications of his actions are significant nonetheless.
I genuinely fear that, just as he popularized electric vehicles, Musk may inadvertently set a trend where men view fatherhood as a status symbol, an exercise in dominance, or even a competition to see who can father the most children with multiple partners. The last thing we need is for fatherhood to become a mere badge of honor rather than a serious commitment.
The overwhelming online support for Musk’s alleged 13th child, particularly among pro-natalist groups, raises profound concerns for me. These individuals often advocate for larger families but seem to disregard the complexities involved.
Understanding the Pro-Natalist Perspective
On the surface, I should align with pro-natalist ideals. Becoming a parent has significantly enriched my life, allowing me to grow as an individual. I firmly believe that those who wish to become parents should have the opportunity to do so. Furthermore, unless we actively encourage larger families, we risk facing a demographic crisis. While I see great value in large families, there are critical nuances that these pro-natalist advocates often overlook.
- Their emphasis on increasing birth rates often comes at the expense of women’s autonomy, frequently advocating for traditional gender roles where women are expected to stay home and manage domestic responsibilities.
- They tend to downplay the physical toll that multiple pregnancies can take on a woman’s body, including serious health risks such as organ damage, loss of bone density, and issues like incontinence.
While I understand that accidents can happen and am not here to judge, it’s essential to acknowledge that Musk’s approach to fatherhood is anything but accidental. Nine of his children were conceived through in-vitro fertilization, which demonstrates a deliberate intention to expand his family.
Of Musk’s numerous children, only one—his son X—has recently been seen in public with him, making an appearance in the Oval Office. His child’s mother, Grimes, later criticized Musk for this display. Furthermore, Musk’s daughter, Viviene, has publicly shared her lack of contact with him and revealed that she discovered the birth of two of her siblings via social media.
Bringing a child into the world is one of the most significant responsibilities a person can undertake. When Musk aimed to revolutionize the electric vehicle market, he succeeded. When he sought to reshape the landscape of free speech on social media, he made waves. Given his track record and his previous comments suggesting that there is a “terrible morality to those who deliberately have no kids,” I am genuinely concerned about how other men might emulate his actions in pursuit of status and recognition.
