In a recent news interview, the leader of the "pronatalist" movement, Malcolm Collins, came under fire for slapping his toddler son in the face. Collins, who is supported by tech billionaires Elon Musk and Jaan Tallinn in promoting a lifestyle that encourages families to have numerous children, defended the act as a form of in-the-moment correction during potentially dangerous situations.

The incident caused multiple people to report the family to child-welfare services, sparking a movement calling for the removal of their children. The couple, Malcolm, 37, and his pregnant wife Simone, 36, explained that they practice corporal punishment, which is legal in Pennsylvania where they reside, only in situations that could cause serious harm to themselves or others.

During the interview, their 2-year-old son, Torsten, accidentally knocked over a restaurant table with his foot, nearly causing it to topple. Malcolm justified the slap, stating that knocking over the table could have led to serious harm or even death at a table full of infants.

The couple defended their controversial disciplinary system, referred to as the "bopping system," as a personal decision, but acknowledged that it might not be suitable for all parents. Malcolm expressed frustration at the outrage, claiming that people were conflating "light discomfort with abuse." He criticized the lack of tolerance for any form of personal inconvenience or offense.

The response to the article on social media platforms has been overwhelmingly negative, with some users directing insults and threats towards the couple. Simone, on the other hand, revealed that she was raised with a mindset that prohibited any form of non-positive physical contact and acknowledged the difficulty of breaking free from that perspective. She also dismissed online critics, suggesting that those who oppose their views may not have children or have fewer children.

The Collinses, who already have two boys and a girl, are expecting another girl soon. They have expressed their intention to have at least seven children, aligning with their belief in promoting a higher birth rate to combat population decline. The couple's advocacy for a "fruitful lifestyle" has garnered support from prominent tech billionaires such as Elon Musk and Jaan Tallinn, both of whom have voiced concerns about population collapse and the risks associated with declining birth rates.

Despite the controversy surrounding the Guardian article featuring the Collinses, Malcolm believes that it effectively highlighted their stance on corporal punishment. He emphasized that his primary goal as a father is to raise his children to be psychologically resilient in a society he perceives as psychologically fragile.

The incident has sparked a broader conversation around parenting methods, raising questions about the line between discipline and abuse. As the discussion unfolds, both supporters and critics of the Collinses' approach eagerly await further developments in this ongoing debate.