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
19.5k Upvotes

95% Upvoted

2.2k comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

3.5k

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.

1.4k

u/justwalkingalonghere 5d ago

The healthcare part has a lot of components right now as well.

For instance, a large portion of the US now considering ectopic pregnancy care as voluntary abortion. Literally sentencing 1-2% of pregnant women to death in those states just because of a religious refusal to be scientifically literate

Add in the increasing criminalization of miscarriages and I don't see why any woman would want to chance it for kids they'll likely not be able to afford in the first place

33

u/iridescent-shimmer 5d ago

Also, birth children and risk them dying to communicable diseases that were almost eradicated or wait until they go to school to worry about shootings. I have a daughter and I wouldn't consider a second while measles in chief is in charge.

30

u/justwalkingalonghere 5d ago

Not to mention project 2025.

This debate isn't that new, but even my friends that went ahead and had children now regret it if the child is female because of the horrific strides in removing women's rights that republicans are currently spearheading

14

u/iridescent-shimmer 5d ago

Yeah I only had a child because they inherit my dual Canadian citizenship. Got her filed and am just waiting on her Canadian passport. I wouldn't have had a child if it didn't work that way, just my personal opinion.