The odds are working against you having progeny. Kids these days aren’t much into having kids.
Pew Research has been tracking the numbers through the years, and in their most recent round of checking found the number of 18-49 years olds thinking about the pitter patter of little feet is down 7% over the past five years. 44% in the age group anticipate not becoming parents.
Reasons vary – not having found a mate to encourage such thoughts, not feeling financially stable enough to pay rent, not feeling confident in the direction of the planet – but Andrew Green, who would like to have children, says many friends don’t. “I think they’re on the fence about it. A lot of them are still kids themselves in terms of not being mature enough. I can’t imagine them in charge of someone else’s life.”
The birthrate dropped 4% last year, the steepest decline since 1973. Maybe the pandemic played a role, or maybe it’s the ever extending length of not having to assume the mantle of adult responsibilities. “Especially, my age, mid-20’s, we’re still growing up, still trying to figure out what we’re going to do before we have to take care of another human being,” says Green. “We’re just trying to figure it out.”
One in eight 18-24 year olds say they have definitely decided not to have children. Andrew could be tomorrow's best hope.
photo: Getty Images