DURHAM, N.H.—Research from the University of New Hampshire reports that in 2024 there were 5.7 million more childless women of prime child-bearing age than expected given prior patterns—a significant jump from 2.1 million in 2016 and 4.7 million in 2022. This shift in fertility patterns has contributed to 11.8 million fewer births than expected in the past 17 years. “Childless rates increased the most among women under 30, where fertility rate declines were also greatest,” said Kenneth Johnson, professor of sociology and senior demographer at UNH’s Carsey School of Public Policy.
How do you explain why people had children throughout most of human history when conditions were far worse than they are now? Or why people in the poorest parts of the world continue to have children now? I believe that from your subjective point of view, what you posted feels true, but I don’t know how you reconcile it with the objective facts that people in poor countries have more children than people in rich countries, and that even within the United States poor people have more children than rich people.
They were horny and and didn’t have good contraception?
There were less laws and they had kids as if it was an investment and the kids would work for them?
They were manipulated by religion or their country to produce more soldiers for the nation or God?
More kids died young too, so they had to have spares.
“Mama why do I exist?”
“You were born in case your older brother died.”
Yup, also in other nations people have kids as literal insurance to take care of them when they get old.
In the Philippines you soon might be jailed if you don’t take care of your parents as they age. That’s certainly not the case in the US.
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3319640/philippines-debates-jailing-adult-children-parental-neglect
My fiancé is from the Philippines and that belief system is cyclical, with tired kids having kids so they can be taken care of after burning out taking care of their parents
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filial_responsibility_laws
In most countries where those laws exist though, as long as they are on social programs the responsibility is covered
Oh wow - I never knew that! I’m glad to hear the social programs exist, but still… yikes!
Historically, women didn’t have much choice in the matter.
Very early cultures did practice infanticide in times of trouble, but most religions began to frown on that very heavily.
The regime is probably going to decriminalize and simply get rid of the concept of marital rape at some point, if we’re being honest.
Trump’s lawyer told Ivanka that marital rape wasn’t a crime when they were going through their divorce in the 90’s. It was by that point, but she didn’t know.
It’s a pretty fucked up incident - he was in pain from a hair transplant, ripped out her hair (giving her bald spots) and raped her. She recanted the rape claim, 100% because Trump’s lawyers threatened her into silence and lied to her.
So yeah, in light of Trump also suggesting that it was unfair to include domestic violence in crime statistics, I doubt this administration really considers marital rape a crime. I would not be surprised if at the state level there was an increased reluctance to prosecute marital rape and domestic violence in hell hole red states.
I’m from MS, and my anecdotal experience is not representative of everyone. That being said, the number of people I knew that who experienced sexual abuse in their marriages was shockingly high compared to other placed I have lived.
But then how do you explain why the within-county trends match both the trends across countries and the historical trends?
Not complicated or difficult to understand.
Poor have more children, because poor are generally more uneducated, especially in 3rd world countries. It is the more informed and educated that are having less children. People that are more informed and educated, generally think long term, and don’t just succumb to immediate gratification. Immediate gratification for someone who is poor, the cheapest thing is sex, and unprotected at that.
Not to mention less educated people are more easily indoctrinated into devout religious beliefs. And the abrahamic religions and it’s offshoots all strongly encourage having children.
It’s really not that complicated.
Ok, but you’re not starting with the belief that Americans are having fewer children because they can’t afford to, the way that the poster I’m replying to is.
Educated people have fewer children. It’s true in every developed nation.
Yes, but that’s not what the guy I’m replying to is saying.
But it is.
Smarter, more educated people tend to, by and large, make smarter decisions. I.e. not bringing a kid into the world if you know you can’t afford to. Or you recognize that you kid is probably going to have a way harder go of things than you did.
Lack of education and an abundance of farmland.