BY: CLAIRE KIM
Just as I had predicted, rates of childbirth have significantly decreased in the US since the last survey conducted. Because society nowadays has shaped our lifestyle to be so fast-paced and stressful, there really isn’t any time for us to contemplate whether we want a baby to begin. When we name our top priorities in order, having a stable job and maintaining our well-being commonly comes first in everyone’s adult life. Since a steady income provides the necessities we need to just survive in general, if we aren’t able to establish this base, it’s hard to add on another investment when we stuck in a risky position. According to a study done by Morning Consult and Times, 31% of young adults say they don’t want kids because of child care costs. Placing third on the list, this is one of the biggest reasons that adults avoid becoming young parents across the United States. Because financial stability is so important, even if adults have the desire to take care of a baby, if they don’t have the readiness to, then they just can’t. Making sure we can take care of ourselves first, before being too greedy to take on another responsibility, is a mindset that’s really vital for a successful family to be created. Another major concern repeatedly said based on the survey, was just a simple longing to have more leisure time to enjoy one’s youth. Once a baby is added to a family, parents automatically have to cut downtime for themselves to have enough time to take care of their baby successfully. Being a parent is not easy. Having to constantly make sure one’s baby is healthy and happy is not as easy as it sounds. Due to the amount of responsibility, sacrifices, and financial investment it takes, it’s understandable that more and more people are starting to lose interest in playing a parent role. Although the current decline in childbirth has been quite shocking, I believe that in the future, it’s just going to get worse.
claire kim. 