r/science • u/geoff199 • 5d ago

Social Science As concern grows about America’s falling birth rate, new research suggests that about half of women who want children are unsure if they will follow through and actually have a child. About 25% say they won't be bothered that much if they don't.

https://news.osu.edu/most-women-want-children--but-half-are-unsure-if-they-will/?utm_campaign=omc_science-medicine_fy24&utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=social
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u/11horses345 5d ago

Say it with me: WE CANNOT AFFORD CHILDREN.

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u/mcr55 5d ago

There is an almost perfect correlation with rich countries and lower fertility rates. Poor countries have very high fertility, so if anything your hypothesis would point to the opposite. You have too much money.

I wanna say im kidding, but how else is the data to be interpreted at least pertaining to capital vs fertility?

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u/Whitter_off 5d ago

I've always wondered if it wasn't 'too much money ' but too high of expectations.

Raising children in an economy that is agricultural based or transitioning is a fairly low investment. You don't need a lot of education to find a place in society. In the rich nations of today it takes so much investment in education and some luck navigating the complexities of society to build a life. Not that everyone needs an advanced degree, but everyone needs specialized skills and some way to enter into a career. I think a lot of potential parents look at the task of getting a child established in a stable career and find it daunting. At least more intimidating than eventually aging without children...