Summary
A 2021 survey by Pew Research Center found that 44% of people aged 18 to 49 without kids don't plan to have children, up 7% from 2018. Many, like Cecile Palacios, gave reasons such as financial concerns and a desire for fuller lives beyond traditional roles. Palacios shares her child-free experiences on TikTok, where she emphasizes the evolving definition of womanhood. Experts note that choosing not to have kids is more accepted now, especially in Gen Z and Millienem which challenge old ideas about adulthood tied to marriage and parenthood. Recent Census Bureau Data also shows a rise in unmarried 40-year-olds, from 20% in 2010 to 25% in 2021.
The reasons why this news is interesting and important
- A decline in birth rates may lead to a smaller labor force in the future, affecting lower productivity output, and there may be challenges in meeting the demand for skilled and unskilled labor. Also, it could impact GDP growth negatively.
- changes in lower demand for family-related goods and services may affect industries such as childcare, education, and family-oriented products.
- Low birth rate causes Social security and pension challenges may impact their financial sustainability.
- To solve this problem, Governments may need to adapt policies related to family support, education, and healthcare to address demographic changes.
Reference: CBS Interactive. (2023, July 25). Growing number of millennial, Gen-z women are childless by choice. CBS News. https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/growing-number-of-millennial-gen-z-women-are-childless-by-choice/