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With the eldest members of the Baby Boomer cohort celebrating their 80th birthdays next year and the youngest becoming eligible for Social Security benefits, President Trump is advocating for a renewed surge in childbearing to counteract dwindling baby booms and persisting low birth rates.
The Trump administration has considered introducing a $5,000 childbirth incentive to alleviate the economic burdens associated with raising children. Nevertheless, many young partners remain resolute in their decision not to have children, despite any financial enticements.
Couples Choose Childless Lives
Tiana and PJ Morales exchanged vows seven years ago and, as newlyweds, embarked on global adventures.
It was not long before they began to field inquiries from family members about potential offspring. However, the Florida-based couple maintains that procreation is not in their plans—not now nor in the future.
‘Why Go Child-Free?’
At age 37, Tiana reflects on her youthful conviction that motherhood was inevitable. Yet, her perspectives shifted after spending her early twenties as a nanny, caring for four children simultaneously.
“It suddenly struck me,” she recounted, “Is this a role I would willingly embrace every day?”
The United States’ fertility rate has significantly declined over the past two decades, nearing all-time lows according to recent CDC data. Various factors contribute to this trend, including:
- Exorbitant costs of child-rearing.
- Concerns about climate change.
- Priority placed on career advancement.
- Voluntary childlessness.
Societal Influences
Blackstone, who has extensively studied involuntary childlessness and self-identified ‘child-free by choice’ individuals, views the prevailing societal norms as potentially influencing these decisions.
“From a young age, society conditions us to believe that the fulfillment of parental duties is an inherent aspect of life,” Amy Blackstone, a professor of sociology at the University of Maine, asserts.
“An individual who willingly forgoes parenthood might express a desire to preserve the sanctity of their partnership,” Blackstone elaborated. “Conversely, a parent might prioritize the potential bond with their offspring above all else.”
Conversely: Choos Children
As Tiana and their friends reached a stage where they explored family planning, Tiana started organizing get-togethers for individuals who expressed similar sentiments. Their motivations ranged from lifestyle choices to global concerns, including worries about the environment and climate change.
predominantly assured in her resolution, Tiana acknowledges that a small faction of her contemplates the future landscape of celebrations and holidays. “I was raised in a large family, where festive occasions were always lively gatherings. The joy was amplified by the presence of numerous relatives, she recalls.”
“As I progress in age and the dynamics of life evolve, I find myself questioning the essence of festive occasions and whether they will retain the same zest. My thoughts oscillate between uncertainties.”
Yet, the choice was indisputably her own—a deliberation marked by profound introspection.