More Americans are choosing to not have children for various reasons including the costs, uncertainty about the future of reproductive health care, and environmental concerns. Internationally and in some parts of the U.S, leaders have tried to make raising children easier financially.

Washington

An increasing number of Americans are choosing to remain child-free, influenced by various factors such as the financial burden of raising children, concerns about reproductive health care's future, and environmental issues. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the average number of children per woman in the United States dropped to approximately 1.6 in 2023, showing a 2% decrease from the previous year. Kim Palmer, associated with Nerd Wallet, highlights the complexity of this decision for many. A survey conducted by Nerd Wallet reveals that only 27% of individuals under the age of 60 without children plan on having any in the future, with economic concerns being a significant deterrent for millennials.

Cost issues are particularly pronounced in urban areas, where the expenses for infant childcare can reach up to $2000 monthly. Additionally, many young Americans are also dealing with other financial obligations, including student loan debts. Amidst these challenges, a vast majority of sexually active women opting out of parenthood are practicing birth control, with the Guttmacher Institute reporting that 88% of these women utilize some form of contraceptive.

Efforts have been made both internationally and within certain U.S. regions to alleviate the financial hurdles associated with parenthood. For instance, France provides free preschool for children, while numerous countries have established mandatory paid parental leave. In the United States, 13 states along with the District of Columbia have introduced mandatory paid family leave, as reported by the Bipartisan Policy Center.

Despite these measures, the decline in birth rates is attributed to a range of factors, indicating a broader shift in societal attitudes and concerns about the future.



More Americans are skipping parenthood

more Americans are deciding to be child free. In 2023, the average number of Children per woman was about 1.6, a 2% decline from 2022, according to the C. D. C. For a lot of people, it's a very difficult and challenging decision. That's Kim Palmer with Nerd Wallet. A survey from that organization finds only 27% of people without Children under the age of 60 say they ever plan to have them. So for millennials, two in five actually cited cost as the reason that they don't feel that they can have kids. Many are turning to birth control to help secure their child free futures, with 88% of sexually active women who don't want Children using some form of contraceptive. According to the Guttmacher Institute, researchers say there are lots of reasons Americans may be choosing to be child free, like uncertainty surrounding the future of reproductive health care, environmental concerns and finally, the cost in urban areas. It's very common to spend as much as $2000 a month for infant childcare, for example. And then if you have multiple Children, of course, that all adds up for a lot of young people. They're also juggling other costs as well, like student loan debt internationally and in some parts of the U. S. Leaders have tried to make raising Children easier. Financially, France offers free preschool to new parents. Dozens of countries offer government mandated paid parental leave in the U. S. 13 states and D. C. Have enacted mandatory paid family leave, according to the Bipartisan Policy Center. Still, experts say a decline in births may simply have to do with changing times and uncertainty about the future. Amber Strong Scripps News.

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