Cultural Artifacts of Pronatalism Part 3 of 3

INFLUENCERS, PANICKERS,  AND CAR SALES

”AND THAT’S WHY YOU DRIVE A CHRYSLER GRAND CARAVAN”

 The cheerful female voiceover says, “You settle down. You meet the one, are quickly joined by the two, make that three … and that’s why you drive a Chrysler Grand Caravan.” The message barely registers as a series of commands, but that’s what it is. Ads like this benefit the automotive industry, the market in general and the pronatalist heteronormative values that buttress our entire economic structure. The message is well crafted and even covers its backside at the end with, “No matter how your family grows, [subtext: as long as it does grow, because growth is non-negotiable] a Chrysler Grand Caravan is here for you”. It’s also here for the Big Oil executives. The graphic resembles a genealogy tree with bright colours and beaming faces, but it doesn’t change the essential message: Breed, buy, repeat. The sweetly patronizing tone is subtle, but leaves no room for alternatives.

Pronatalism takes many forms, but its function is as predictable as it is political. We see it in all forms of media and advertising, in public and private institutions. Once noticed, it’s hard not to see its coercive intent. The examples here highlight three ways in which pronatalism seeks to undermine our reproductive autonomy.

References
FCA Canada Inc (2025) Chrysler Grand Caravan [Television Commercial] Toronto, ON, CBC Gem