“New Age” shows a couple explaining that there isn’t room for a child in their life because of expenses, having to care for “Gram Grams,” and long hours of work. They opt to get a vasectomy to prevent a pregnancy when they can’t take care of a child, and they adopt a mischievious cat, Fred. This reflects real world couples who make similar decisions everyday for similar reasons. The couple are also represented by reproductive systems to show how they value self autonomy over their bodies, and because they embraced a decision that people may generally be uncomfortable with, that might be becoming more common.

Birth rates are decreasing worldwide in major countries like India, Japan, the United States, and France (although the list goes on). Some of the reasons contributing to declining birth rates include a poor work-life balance, expensive markets, shifts from traditional views, having to take care of older generations, and more. “New Age” shows some of these issues and how they can contribute to decreased birth rates.

“New Age” also simply shows a shift from traditional values in societies worldwide. This suggests that there may not be an issue present, and that people are beginning to desire more self autonomy.

**Mixed Media on paper