Opting out why fewer women are having children

The gap between millennials and the Silent generation is clear. The millennials consider themselves late bloomers which is different from other generations. In earlier generations by the time a woman was 29 she was already married had about two kids, a career and a house on mortgage. This points to the fact that the milestones that the previous generations had are not prioritized with the millennials.

So, why are fewer women having children?

To answer this question, we need to take a look at different factors.

In 1965, a woman got married at the age of 21 while a man typically married at 23. However, in 2018 the figures have changed with now women wedding at 27 and men at 30. Studies show that people want to marry at the right time, with the right person and with all finances in place. This, therefore, means that many women will end up having children in their 40s or they will never. And we cannot blame this on infertility.

There is no correlation between childlessness and infertility. The reasons why people do not want to have kids is varied, complex and covered up. Some never wanted them. Others met the right person with kids already and thus wouldn’t want more. There are some who want to finish school and find a good job but by the time they are settling down it is a bit too late.

The Economic Situation Plays a Role Too

Many educated women think twice before having children. For instance, women pursuing certificates or degrees in non-vocational courses are bound to be childless. A teacher or a midwife has a strong attraction to bear children. This may be because of their line of work or that they have high chances of getting jobs at a younger age.

The notion of being childless is not utterly true. In Germany the rate if childbearing has been low since for a couple of decades. Women only feel some mild social stigma. It is all in the attitude. In western Germany, there were no nurseries until recently. This is because most women are working and they have opted out of childbearing. Therefore if any mother leaves their child in a nursery they are referred to as a ‘ “Rabenmutter” which means raven mother.

Some Women Prefer Being Childless

Childlessness is not entirely miserable. Some people have opted to choose the satisfaction of wealth and marital status to fill the void of lack of children. Studies in liberal Anglo-Saxon countries prove that childless people are happier than parents especially young parents. It is not surprising at all that childless people have launched charities to aid children.

For instance, the Bread and Books campaign which was started by Ms Kinkel who is childless. The charity helps children especially in Africa to get food and school supplies such as books.

Childlessness is likely to keep shooting up in the next few years. The general procrastination of having kids at an older date is going to catch on.