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There was J.D. Vance’s viral 2021 comment, where he suggested that the nation was being run by “miserable childless cat ladies.” He argued that the falling fertility rate is a “civilizational crisis,” even advocating for people without children to pay higher taxes and have less voting power than those with children. In response, Vance claimed that Democrats are “anti-family” and “anti-child.”
Fox News commentator Ashley St. Clair also weighed in, arguing that millennials are avoiding parenthood in favor of “self-pleasure”—pursuing nightlife and attending Beyoncé concerts instead of raising families. However, many are pushing back against this narrative, arguing that it’s not that millennials don’t want children, but rather that they can’t afford them in the current economic climate.
A 30-year-old recently went viral for explaining why millennials aren’t having kids, and their reasoning struck a chord with many. Rising living costs, stagnant wages, and an uncertain economic future are contributing to a generation that is finding parenthood increasingly out of reach. According to statistics, a significant number of millennials are opting out of having children due to these factors.
In fact, surveys back up this growing trend. A Pew Research study found that 44% of childless adults say they are unlikely to have kids, with financial concerns cited as the leading factor. Another study by Morning Consult revealed that 25% of millennials cite the high cost of living as a primary deterrent to starting a family. This reflects a broader shift in how millennials are approaching parenthood, with economic concerns top of mind.
While many millennials are delaying or forgoing parenthood, the question of how many millennials have kids remains significant. Statistics show that birth rates among millennials are lower than previous generations. However, the U.S. Census Bureau reports that while birth rates are lower in millennials’ 20s, there is a noticeable increase in their 30s, indicating that many millennials are simply delaying having children rather than rejecting it altogether.
A large part of the decline in millennials having kids is due to financial and societal pressures. The average millennial carries around $33,000 in student debt, according to the Education Data Initiative. This financial burden makes it hard to save for a home, let alone raise a family. With such debt, young adults are finding it increasingly difficult to make the financial leap into parenthood.
The broader question of why people are having fewer children can be answered through several economic, societal, and environmental lenses. One of the biggest factors driving this trend is rising housing costs. According to Zillow, home prices in the U.S. have nearly doubled over the past decade, making homeownership—a key milestone for many parents—seem unattainable for many millennials. Without stable housing, many young adults don’t see how they can afford to raise children.
Healthcare costs also weigh heavily on millennials’ decisions. The Kaiser Family Foundation reports that the average cost of childbirth in the U.S. is over $13,000 without insurance. With the fear of incurring massive medical debt, many millennials are hesitant to bring children into the world.
Work culture and lack of parental support contribute to the decline in births as well. The U.S. remains one of the few developed countries without federally mandated paid parental leave, and a report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that only 23% of private-sector workers have access to paid family leave. The financial strain of raising children combined with a lack of workplace support has led many to reconsider the timing of starting a family.
Childcare costs are another major reason why millennials are not having children at the same rates as previous generations. The Center for American Progress reports that childcare costs have increased by 214% over the past three decades, making it unaffordable for many working parents. For millennials, many of whom are already facing high student debt and inflated housing costs, the expense of childcare simply adds another financial hurdle they can’t clear.
Another significant factor driving millennials’ decision not to have kids is climate anxiety. A survey by The New York Times found that 11% of young adults cite climate change as a reason for choosing not to have children. These individuals are concerned about the future of the planet, the stability of ecosystems, and the uncertainty of what the world will look like for their potential children. As climate change becomes an increasingly urgent issue, many millennials are questioning whether it is fair to bring new life into such an unstable world.
Cultural expectations are also shifting. Marriage and children were once seen as key life milestones, but today’s millennials are redefining fulfillment. According to the Institute for Family Studies, millennials prioritize personal growth, career development, and experiences over traditional family structures. Marriage and children are no longer seen as the default route to happiness for many in this generation.
The internet has played a role in shaping these changing priorities. Social media and online forums offer millennials a platform to discuss the harsh realities of parenting, including financial strain and lack of support. These real-life stories make many millennials wary of parenthood, especially when faced with the challenges of raising children without sufficient resources.
Despite these concerns, some argue that millennials are simply delaying parenthood, not rejecting it entirely. The U.S. Census Bureau reports a notable increase in birth rates among millennials in their 30s, indicating a trend toward later, more deliberate childbearing. This suggests that while many millennials may not be having kids in their 20s, they are still open to the idea of parenthood once they feel more financially secure or stable.
Ultimately, the decision to have children is deeply personal. As economic pressures grow, many millennials are choosing to delay or forgo parenthood due to the financial burden that raising a family entails. The economic, societal, and environmental pressures faced by millennials are not likely to abate anytime soon, which means that the trend of millennials not having kids may continue for years to come.
Parenthood is no longer seen as the default life path—it has become a choice, and for many millennials, it’s simply not the right time. The statistics reflect this reality: millennials are having fewer children, with financial insecurity being one of the top reasons. The decision to have children has become a complex one, shaped by a variety of factors, and it’s clear that many millennials are opting out.
Sources -
https://aspe.hhs.gov/topics/poverty-economic-mobility/poverty-guidelines
https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2019/10/24/20919030/meritocracy-book-daniel-markovits-inequality-rich
https://www.theguardian.com/money/2023/oct/08/us-student-debt-class-poverty-wealth
https://www.forbes.com/advisor/banking/living-paycheck-to-paycheck-statistics-2024/
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/25/upshot/paid-leave-democrats.html
https://www.thebump.com/news/unpaid-maternity-leave-crisis
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fmla
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