Class of 1927 Fails to Reproduce Itself, National Statisticians Claim

America's educated class is committing suicide, and the Class of '27 is helping it.

According to a survey of collegiate fertility just completed by the Population Reference Bureau, the Class of '27 is failing to reproduce itself. The more than 10,000 reports from members of this Class throughout the nation show that the average alumnus produced only 1.85 children since he graduated. The Bureau estimates that 2.1 children per graduate are needed for replacement.

If these sample reports are typical, the 103,000 individuals who were graduated from college in 1927 will bequeath to the next generation only 79,000 children.

"With 2.1 children apiece needed for replacement," the Bureau's report states, "the male graduates of 1927 are falling to reproduce themselves by 12 percent.

There is a bright spot in the report, however, The Class of '42, only ten years out of college, has already matched the reproduction rate of the Class of '27, and has 15 more years of fertility ahead of it before its 25the reunion. The Bureau says the men of '42 may be the first college class in recent history to produce enough children to replace itself. Among Harvard graduates, the average is already 1.45 children apiece.

"What can be done?" the Bureau Acts. "The Russians lean heavily on maternity benefits--through state creches for working mothers and state budget allowances--while Pravda constantly lauds extensive motherhood. We Americans, we hope, operate best through understanding and encouragement.

"For American children of college graduates are important. In this era of atoms and attrition, intelligent, trained people are increasingly needed to steer our democracy. The children of college graduates, benefiting from their parents' intelligence and from the surroundings which the college training can provide, are vitally needed for our country's future."

Although the Bureau does not expect much more from the Class of '27 at this point in life, it looks towards the new graduates to reproduce themselves to the hilt.