Russian Governor: Skip Work, Have Sex

The Russians are bringing a new meaning to the term Hump Day, literally. Reuters reported today, "The governor of a central Russian province urged couples to skip work Wednesday and make love instead to help boost Russia's low birth-rate."

Many European countries are faced with declining population. Several of them, including Russia, have developed incentive programs to encourage women to get pregnant.

Russia's largest national holiday is June 12, exactly 9 months from today. Russia is holding a lottery of sorts, where the entrance fee is one baby. Any woman who gives birth to a baby on June 12 is eligible. Preferences are given to married women, but single women are also eligible. Prizes include household luxuries such as refrigerators and televisions. Last year's grand prize was a Jeep. This year, the grand prize is an apartment.

According to Reuters: "Russia wants to reverse a trend in which the population is shrinking by about 700,000 people a year as births fail to outpace a high death rate boosted by AIDS, alcoholism and suicide."

"This is the third year Ulyanovsk region, famous as the birthplace of Soviet state founder Vladimir Lenin, has dedicated a day to encouraging couples to produce more babies."

SunFyre's two cents: I think we should do this in America. October 4 is coming soon. I think we should all take off that Thursday and have some sex! Who knows, maybe you'll get an Independence Day baby!

Read the full story: Skip work, make babies, governor says

Source: Reuters, James Kilmer