There was big concern in 2020 when a study found that not only is the birthrate in the United States continuing to fall, it’s dropping faster than ever. What that means is that, as the population ages, there will be fewer people able to work overall, and fewer younger people able to keep society healthy while caring for those who are getting older.
Some want to pretend that the reason is that this generation is selfish and all about themselves, but these 14 young people are about to prove there are dozens of very valid reasons for choosing to live childfree – whether you really want to or not.
14. He has charts and everything.
Take your time processing it all.
https://twitter.com/jordanzakarin/status/1389974276862849027?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1389974276862849027%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fgod.dailydot.com%2Fwhy-women-arent-having-babies-birth-rate%2F
13. You have to have an extra $15K a year to spare.
Too many people can’t even imagine.
About 13,000/yr and thatβs if everything goes right, like no medical emergencies, family vacays, etc.
— Demon Cat πΉ (@Adalis) May 5, 2021
12. People are out there just barely surviving.
No one wants to put a child into that situation, too.
The βAmerican Dreamβ is not attainable for my age bracket. I have $110k in student loans, credit card debt, and the highest paying job Iβve had was $50k a year after getting an MA. A house, marriage, and child are out of the question; I can’t afford myself.
β Anna C (@Acliz12) May 6, 2021
11. And honestly, what argument would the other person have?
Because…you can?
As a woman getting married to a man this year, I reserve the right to scream βIN THIS ECONOMY?β At any stranger who asks rude questions about our business
β fully vaccinated helen π©π»βπ¦°πΊπ (@hideflen) May 5, 2021
10. It’s definitely more work than you think it’s going to be.
Not everyone is down for that, and that’s ok.
Every reason not to have a baby is a valid reason. It requires a lot of work, money, and sacrifice to care for a baby, far more than anyone realizes before making the decision to have a baby, knowing that it’s going to take a lot. It’s not something anyone should do lightly.
β soup (@powerchowder69) May 5, 2021
9. It really does make sense.
It would be weirder if they were rising, honestly.
Imagine that!
With shit wages, shit benefits, and a planet being eaten alive by the wealthy and corporations, people don’t want to bring another life into this world. Who could have guessed!β DrDFox (@DrDFox1) May 5, 2021
8. If you want to bring common sense into it.
Literally no one would have a kid.
The structure of our society, for the majority of us, is not conducive to healthy family life/child rearing. We’re all drowning financially and stressed so having kids lacks common sense in this climate.
β Katherine Jones (@WelshKthrn) May 5, 2021
7. Well when you put it that way.
The end is nigh, people.
“The human race will be extinct in 75 years thanks to climate change if things keep going like they’re going. Why aren’t more people having kids to feed directly into the gaping maw of doom?”
β Telstarcules (@TelstarMan) May 5, 2021
6. Is that counterintuitive, though?
Because I’m not sure…
Itβs not just the US. Itβs *everywhere.* And counterintuitively, the more educated/privileged women are, the *lower* their fertility rate.
β Shannon Last (@shannon_last) May 5, 2021
5. It could actually be the opposite.
Depending on how you look at it.
Also, existence is hard and I’m not sure why foisting it on another being is automatically considered selfless.
β Preety Sidhu (@_preetysidhu) May 5, 2021
4. That doesn’t make a ton of sense.
People aren’t going to keep doing things “because that’s what we do” anymore.
Make it very difficult to afford a family while simultaneously demonizing immigrants. Like sorry but if you wanna keep childrearing unaffordable then you need to allow more people in Β―\_(γ)_/Β―
β π₯Ί level-headed c-word β (@anitasunshiine) May 6, 2021
3. It’s all about the money.
Like everything else.
Adoption is so inaccessible as well. My adoption was $20k just for paperwork. Itβs all against us.
— ππ©π’π΅π’π° ππ¬π₯π«π°π¬π« (@AlexesJohnson) May 5, 2021
2. They actually are considering future children.
And deciding not being alive on this h%*lhole of a planet is best.
Not to mention doing basically nothing to ensure their children will have a planet that is livable…
β Sara Jacobs (@SaraJacobsCA) May 6, 2021
1. There really are any number of reasons.
If they apply to you, don’t be afraid to say it.
On one hand you have to give up everything from oysters to alcohol to amusement parks to saunas for the better part of an entire year but on the other hand it costs more than a house used to cost if anything goes wrong but at least it also might kill or maim you permanently
— Erin "Skeleton Factory" Ryan (@morninggloria) May 5, 2021
As a mother, I’m a bit sad at the prospect of fewer precious kiddos, but also as a mom, I get it 100%. This life isn’t for everyone.
Do you have kids? Are you planning to? Tell us why or why not in the comments!