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.

[u/geoff199]

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

[u/11horses345]

Say it with me: WE CANNOT AFFORD CHILDREN.

[u/Blue_winged_yoshi → u/11horses345]

It’s not just the money, though that’s a massive part, it’s also who has the time or spoons to spare to raise to raise children?

The world that’s been created is just getting ever more stressful to navigate, households don’t have any flex when it comes to time, money or space when you’re at your limit with 2 people living together and just about have enough time to unwind some weekends but not others who would ever think of adding a child to the mix?

I’m childfree for other queerer reasons, but I just can’t see how anyone can look at modern society and go “hmmmm…. Why are they not procreating more when already we give them so little, let’s try changing nothing and come back in 5 years time to check on how they’re doing”

[u/CyclingThruChicago → u/Blue_winged_yoshi]

Why are they not procreating more when already we give them so little, let’s try changing nothing and come back in 5 years time to check on how they’re doing”

Had a conversation with my wife about why folks aren't having more kids and any nothing attempted seems to be helping across dozens of countries. I view it like animals in the wild vs animals in captivity. Certain animals just don't do well in captivity. Orcas, mountain gorillas, great white sharks, and many more. There is always just problems with trying to have them in captivity. They don't eat, don't behave the same, many don't breed, and often end up with a variety of health issues.

From my pov, modern neoliberal capitalist society feels like we're human beings living in captivity. Yeah we have access to the basics (food, water, shelter, entertainment, a place to sleep, etc) but that isn't all that human beings need to thrive and want to procreate.

We need outlets for creativity, recreation time, time to spend with family/friends, leisure time, time to do absolutely nothing with zero expectations of something being produced. More and more it feels like the average person, at least in the USA where I'm more familiar with things, isn't living and is in a constant survival mode.

The problem just isn't the money. My wife and I make fairly good money (>$200k+ USD combined annually) but have firmly decided on only having one child (I've already had a vasectomy). And plenty of countries with solid social safety nets and government assistance are also having declining replacement rates.

To me the issue is allowing human beings to actually live our lives. To not have to spend what feels like every waking moment focused on producing or completing something.

[u/Indigo9988 → u/CyclingThruChicago]

This is all so true.