Breaking Down The Real Reasons Women Today Are More Likely To Forego Having Children Altogether
According to the National Center for Health Statistics, the number of babies born in the United States drops by 2% annually. Now, there are a lot of reasons why that may have been the case. The global pandemic might have had something to do with it. But this seems to be a trend that isn't going away anytime soon. There are also a lot of personal reasons why people are choosing not to have kids.
People took to Twitter to explain why kids aren't in their family plan. Keep reading to find out what they said.
Because Of The Money
"I have four kids, aged 24-30. All have plans to never have children because of money.
"The two youngest live with me and have responsible adult jobs that at their age would have paid me enough to live independently, and would have made life-long careers for my parents." —@urlnotfound / Twitter
It's Tough Out There
"If your 'why is the birthrate decreasing' story doesn't talk about student debt, untenable childcare and healthcare costs, housing costs, patriarchy & the enduring unequal distribution of labor in the home, it is not a good 'why is the birthrate decreasing' story." —@annehelen / Twitter
Raising a child is so expensive for women today, in more ways than one.
Too Selfish
"I am literally too selfish to have a baby. I would probably be a bad mother. Of course, if I were a man, nobody would care that I didn't want to have children...
"But I'm a woman so I need an excuse more compelling than 'I don't want to and don't think I would be good at it.'" —@lyta_gold / Twitter
A Generous Act
"As a mom, I firmly believe one of the most generous things you can do for your community is to not have kids you don't want." —@ToriGlass / Twitter
Truer words were never spoken.
Climate Change Is A Factor
"Both of my kids don't want kids. Son is 34 daughter is 30. They both say they don’t want to raise children because of #1 government, #2 climate change.
"They both think that we are killing our planet and each other." —@sinnamarie / Twitter
Healthcare Costs
"Why would I wanna give birth if the hospital bill is my yearly rent?" —@HufflepuffLord / Twitter
The cost of childbirth-associated healthcare is a real issue for some people, especially if they don't have insurance.
A Chaotic World
"Having a kid in the U.S. is the difference between poor vs. lower-middle class. By not having kids, I've been able to save enough money to claw my way into a mortgage.
"Everyone is ignoring climate change anyway, it hardly seems wise to bring a kid into such a chaotic world."—@Lollerwaffle / Twitter
In This Economy?
"As a woman getting married to a man this year, I reserve the right to scream "IN THIS ECONOMY?" at any stranger who asks rude questions about our business." —@hideflen / Twitter
Having a child is one of the most personal choices a couple can make.
So Many Reasons
"On one hand, you have to give up everything from oysters to alcohol to amusement parks to saunas for the better part of an entire year...
"But on the other hand, it costs more than a house used to cost if anything goes wrong, but at least it also might kill or maim you permanently."—@morninggloria / Twitter
A Tough Decision
"Every reason not to have a baby is a valid reason.
"It requires a lot of work, money, and sacrifice to care for a baby, far more than anyone realizes before making the decision to have a baby, knowing that it's going to take a lot. It's not something anyone should do lightly." —@powerchowder69 / Twitter
Drowning In Debt
"The structure of our society, for the majority of us, is not conducive to healthy family life/child-rearing.
"We're all drowning financially and stressed, so having kids lacks common sense in this climate." —@WelshKthrn / Twitter
Infertility Is A Pressing Issue
"We all have chronic illnesses in our 30s and everything is too goddamned expensive. It's not rocket science. I tried for nine years.
"Infertility treatment is a one-size-fits-none business. Gave up after one disastrous pregnancy."—@RevolutionIn801 / Twitter
Women Have Options
"Women have options now, realized their partners will not stay at home or do their fair share of childcare, and said, 'F*** that, I'm not going to stay home, my dreams matter, too.'" —@Classical_Dee / Twitter
Childcare is a huge responsibility to take on.
Personal Choice
"Also: SOME PEOPLE DON'T WANT CHILDREN. It doesn’t have to be due to financial reasons, although that certainly doesn’t help." —@PotrzebieSystem / Twitter
Personal choice really should be enough of a reason.
The Cost Of Higher Education
"I feel like this has a lot to do with being pushed to higher education with no true purpose.
"A lot of baby boomers were happy with meaningless jobs that paid well because their parents went through WW2 and the Great Depression. No one is happy these days with what they do." —@PDHMJerZ / Twitter
The Cost Of Childcare
"Yup, all of those things, plus childcare costs are astronomical, mean I'd have to really want kids to make it work.
"I can't imagine having kids and not living a stressed life, constantly (more) worried about money." —@marfak7 / Twitter
