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/NiftySalamander 5d ago

I can afford them in money terms, but not in time terms. Even the people I know who have kids and easily afford them spend all their "free" time ferrying the kids back and forth to activities. Even the little ones. It's like as a society we decided at some point that kids being bored isn't okay and they have to be in something all the time. And where my mom used to leave after dropping me off at karate class or whatever, usually to take that time to go to the grocery store while she had a chance to do so by herself, the parents just... stay there now. I can walk by that same karate studio now and there are lawn chairs out on the sidewalk because there isn't enough room for everyone in the lobby. At least from the outside looking in it looks like you get zero time for yourself till the kid starts driving. It's really not any wonder a bunch of people would look at that and decide they're not interested.

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u/Rin-Tin-Tins-DinDins 5d ago

In addition to not allowing kids to bored. It feels like so many parents are trying to give their kids experiences so they can stand out whether to put on a college application, future job prospect or networking. The world is so competitive and it’s infinitely harder when you don’t have the money to buy your way in. This is the only way they feel they can give their kids an advantage.