While former President Donald Trump dismisses criticisms about his running mate Ohio Sen. JD Vance’s past remarks on “childless cat ladies” harming American values, he stresses that individuals without children can be just as admirable as parents, underscoring Vance’s pro-family values stemming from his own challenging upbringing. Meanwhile, the trend of fewer Americans having children continues.
Sen. Vance, the GOP’s vice-presidential candidate, claims his earlier comments were misinterpreted by Democrats.
Identifying as “pro-family,” Vance expressed to Fox News’ Trey Gowdy, host of “Sunday Night in America,” that he acknowledges there are numerous reasons adults might choose not to have children, yet those individuals contribute significantly to society.
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Vance argues that Democrats have increasingly adopted anti-family and anti-parent sentiments, citing climate change as a factor influencing reluctance to have kids.
The reasons for declining birthrates are multifaceted. As reported in April by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the birth rate in the U.S. has reached a historic low, reflecting a 3% decrease since 2022, continuing a trend of decline since 2014, aside from a short-lived 1% rise from 2020 to 2021.
The birth rate falls to an all-time low, down 3% since 2022, according to a report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (iStock)
Recent data suggests that younger Americans’ priorities, including their views on parenthood, are evolving.
Experts attribute this decrease in birth rates to various factors, including a heightened emphasis on career advancement, the financial burden of raising children, prioritization of personal autonomy and mental health, apprehension about the future, and rising fertility issues.
Prioritizing Careers?
Kyle Elliott, a career coach and job search authority based in Santa Barbara, California, indicated that a growing number of working professionals are less interested in parenthood.
“There’s a notable rise in Americans prioritizing their careers,” he stated.
“Historically, there were set expectations; today, the path isn’t as clear-cut.”
“Individuals are realizing that it’s more complex to balance their professional life and personal life as work demands grow.” Many Americans report working 50 to 60 hours weekly, according to Elliott.
“It’s significantly tougher to find a balance than it was two, ten, or even five years ago,” he observed.
Many Americans are logging 50 to 60-hour work weeks, posing a challenge for parenthood, as per an expert’s insights. (iStock)
People who work lengthy hours often achieve their career objectives and earn higher salaries, making it “easier” to postpone parenting responsibilities.
Elliott also noted the significant role of corporate policies regarding parental leave and childcare.
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While a growing number of U.S. companies are improving conditions for new parents, Elliott stressed that the U.S. still lags behind many other nations.
When employees return from parental leave, they’re often still tasked with childcare responsibilities, complicating work-life balance, Elliott pointed out.
To hire and keep talent, experts recommend companies to provide thoughtful family accommodations. (iStock)
“Companies could create a win-win situation for both employees and employers through enhanced accommodations, including childcare, extended leave, or greater flexibility, such as remote work options,” he expressed.
“There’s substantial potential for organizations to better support parents,” he added.
Childrearing Costs
The thought of raising a child can be intimidating for many young Americans, especially given the high inflation rates across various U.S. states, according to reports from the Labor Department.
A middle-income couple with two children can anticipate spending around $306,924 to raise a child born in 2023, based on findings from Credit Karma.
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This figure derives from a 2017 study conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Significant expenses include housing (approximately 30% of total costs), food, daycare and education, transportation, healthcare, clothing, and miscellaneous items.
In some states, the cost of daycare alone can reach up to $17,000 annually, as reported by the Labor Department in 2023.
The high cost of childcare has been termed “astronomical,” as per an expert’s statement. (iStock)
Additionally, parents often need to factor in savings for their child’s future, like college funds.
Dr. Michele Borba, a California-based educational psychologist and parenting authority, agreed that financial considerations heavily influence the decision-making of dual-income parents when contemplating having a baby.
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“Childcare expenses are exceedingly high and unaffordable for many families,” she remarked to Fox News Digital.
In previous times, families often had supportive nuclear structures nearby, which is increasingly rare today, she noted.
Shifts in Culture and Politics
Changes have occurred within the American family structure from prior generations, as couples are marrying later in life and often opting for fewer or no children, according to experts.
Borba, the author of “Thrivers: The Surprising Reasons Why Some Kids Struggle and Others Shine,” highlighted an increased acknowledgment of mental health and the necessity for parents to be mentally robust for effective child-rearing.
Psychologist highlights, “We are observing not just a decline in pregnancies but fewer larger families,” regarding the current parenting landscape. (iStock)
Many young people don’t have stable support systems for raising children, noted the psychologist, with single parenting presenting even greater challenges.
A drive for personal freedom also influences choices against having children, she pointed out.
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Jonathan Alpert, a psychotherapist and author in New York City, believes political views are influencing people’s family planning decisions.
“Many clients express concerns like, ‘I don’t want to add to the carbon footprint’ or ‘I’m unwilling to contribute to overpopulation,’ while others express anxiety about the world’s safety, contemplating, ‘Is it too risky to raise a child now?'” he shared with Fox News Digital.
Experts emphasize that parental stress surpasses children’s stress, observed a professional. (iStock)
For those more centrist politically, Alpert noted, concerns arise around raising children amidst discussions on gender pronouns and shared facilities between sexes.
Others simply don’t feel the cultural compulsion to have children as previous generations did.
“Historically, a sequence of expectations existed—attend school, find a partner, marry, and have children. Today’s route is much less clear or anticipated,” the psychologist stated.
Anxiety About the Future
Many adults are also grappling with anxiety regarding the future, Borba explained, which can create a pessimistic lens when contemplating parenthood.
Questions such as “Is this environment suitable for a child?” or “Is it responsible to bring someone into a world where I feel insecure?” often circulate in parents’ minds.
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Parenting has become increasingly structured compared to past decades, when a more hands-off model was prevalent, and there was less stress on accelerated development and safety, according to Borba.
Experts observed that parenting is “not as easy” as it was decades ago. (iStock)
Children from past generations enjoyed more free time and unstructured play, which are often lacking in the current environment, Borba lamented.
Today’s prospective parents often navigate their childhoods in a fear-driven environment, influencing their reproductive choices.
Fertility Challenges
Another factor discouraging childbearing can be fertility issues and pregnancy complications faced by women.
This is echoed by Dr. Jillian LoPiano, an OB-GYN from Miami and chief health officer at the reproductive telehealth platform Wisp, who indicated that the health risks and financial burdens associated with childbirth may deter couples from pursuing parenthood.
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The U.S. is currently confronting a maternal mortality crisis. The reported maternal death rate in 2021 was 32 per 100,000 births, which is notably higher than the rates seen in other similarly resource-rich countries.
The rate of Cesarean deliveries has increased for four consecutive years, according to CDC data from 2023. (iStock)
This trend may be linked to increased maternal age and chronic health conditions impacting pregnancy outcomes, as stated by Dr. LoPiano.
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“Insufficient access to proper prenatal healthcare, rising health expenses, and restrictive reproductive healthcare policies all contribute to adverse outcomes,” she explained.
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Economic factors and a range of uncertainties also significantly influence the declining birth rate, according to Dr. LoPiano.
To Have a Baby or Not?
For couples contemplating parenthood, Borba advises weighing personal values and circumstances.
“No one knows you better than you do,” she asserted. “Ultimately, your decision should align with what is best for you, your partner, and your child.”
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Borba recommends documenting motivations in a journal and relying on a trusted circle for support.
“If you’re committed to your choice, ensure you fully understand your reasons, which will require honest self-reflection,” she advised.
“Make sure the decision aligns with what is best for you, your partner, and your child,” a psychologist suggested. (iStock)
Borba also highlighted the importance of ensuring both partners are aligned in their views on having children.
If mental health is a primary concern, seeking assistance from a professional can help clarify the decision-making process.
Long-Term Implications
Overall, Alpert noted, fluctuations in birth rates are a natural occurrence.
“There’s no need to panic about currently declining birth rates,” he stated to Fox News Digital.
“Many prospective parents are navigating a fear-based reality, affecting their reproductive choices.”
“However, if there is a notable drop, a rising elderly demographic could result, potentially overwhelming healthcare resources as more focus shifts to medical care for an aging population.”
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With fewer individuals available to join the workforce and reduced consumer spending, economic growth could stagnate, potentially impacting the Social Security system.
Report by FOX Business’ Megan Henney contributed to this article.
