Economic uncertainty is my number 1 reason. I bearly can afford to live myself (and I'm a professional). I don't see a future where I can afford a house (even a car is kind of a stretch). And, the second reason is global warming. I don't want to raise a child knowing that an environmental crisis is happening and will get worse year by year. (I'm argentinian, 31 years old)
3 weeks ago | 2
Society created money for efficiency to trade goods, money shaped society to see it not as a tool but means towards an end. Money is intrinsically tied to survival. If the government can provide it's citizens with free healthcare, shelter, food and education. The value of money becomes synonymous with buying goods instead of an existential crisis. Capitalism has achieved great things, but its success depends on the economy and doesn't guarantee the quality of life for the people. People are scared they will go into debt in the future, so they don't want kids. The future is bleak, and stress people have these days was never seen before. It is unprecedented indeed. Age of automation questions the nature of money in its current state. What's society if it cannot cater towards many? What's the point of having a greatest nation in the world, if that nation provides life only to few, and not common.
3 weeks ago (edited) | 1
It's not a fertility crisis lol literally having a baby will put a couple in an insane amount of medical debt
2 weeks ago | 1
Economic uncertainty alone cannot account for low fertility. People still had kids during the Great Depression. Everyone is just more materialistic now and they don’t even want to experience life if it means they don’t get to have all the stuff they see on social media.
3 weeks ago | 0
I see an unfortunate trend. Among the right, reproductive rights are trying to be curbed and natality being pushed hard whereas on the left (mostly) concerns for the environment and the cost of living is curbing natality. Is this something we should be concerned? If we follow this trend, will we be living in a significantly more rightwing world in the future?
3 weeks ago | 0
It's Complicated
What questions do you have about the so called 'fertility crisis'? Help contribute to our upcoming new series the IT'S COMPLICATED PODCAST.
Fertility rates are a complex topic. Some believe that falling fertility rates globally is a 'crisis', but such a characterisation is controversial and often politicised. Many factors impact fertility rates, including economic uncertainty, cultural shifts, government policies, environmental concerns, forever chemicals, and hormonal changes.
We hope to explore these issues with our new video podcast on The Guardian’s new YouTube channel, It’s Complicated.
Your responses will help guide our research and may be answered by guest experts in our video podcast. Join the conversation by leaving your questions below.
3 weeks ago (edited) | [YT] | 15