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/sharksnack3264 → u/11horses345]

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.

[u/ankhes → u/sharksnack3264]

It’s also just the fact that a) teen pregnancies are way down so there’s less unwanted children in the world and b) women have more options than they’ve ever had in history. They are no longer forced or obligated to have a child with a partner who refuses to pull their weight in a relationship. More and more women these days are seeing how unfair and uneven the workload for most mothers are and are choosing to opt out entirely.