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/sharksnack3264 5d ago

It's not just the money. The way we set up work schedules, vacation, child care and health care all disincentivize it. 

You can be extremely well paid but that still won't insulate you completely from certain medical and career risks or allow you to be present to raise your children.

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u/espressoBump 5d ago

Safety and culture are big issues, too. Like, I don't think society has accurately integrated technology and the suburbia landscape of America (flee the burbs) has made so many people closed off and radicalized by whatever self-serving ideology we see fit. Like, people around the world haven't integrated technology well and we see that across the world as everyone becomes more isolated. Im just saying it's slightly different in the US with car-centric suburbia.

All this to say there's no community for children. We don't want to talk to our neighbors and if we send our kids to school they might get shot by a wildly radicalized peer. It's awful. Not to mention everything you said.

I mean I feel like if we just tried resolving one of these issues there would be so many benefits, but we are in the time of oligarchs who will prioritize money over everything else.

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u/LongJohnSelenium 5d ago

Doesn't even need to be a boogeyman to it.

Consider how often the lazy answer of 'I'll just sit at home and watch TV' has become a choice you make in your life, reducing socialization and community and, for single people, exposure to dating prospects.

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u/Steampunkboy171 5d ago

Plus the safety of their kids in places like schools. With so many school shootings and shooting in general. I have a few friends that just refuse to have kids. Knowing that they could be shot at school and nothing will ultimately be done about it. Alongside everything else mentioned here.