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Understanding the Decline in American Birth Rates: Trends and Reasons

Explore the reasons for the declining birth rates in America, from changing social norms and ethical considerations to political and religious viewpoints. Discover why some couples choose to have fewer children, while others opt for larger families. Learn about potential factors that could lead to an increase in childbearing in the future.

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Understanding the Decline in American Birth Rates: Trends and Reasons

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  1. Why Americans Are Having Fewer Children Jessica Wisniewski & Tanner Path

  2. Then & Now According to the U.S. Census Bureau… • The average age of a woman when her first child is born • In 1970: 21.4 years old • Today: Around 25 years old • Percent of Women between the ages of 30-34 who don’t have children • In 1970: 16% didn’t have children • Today: 27% don’t have children

  3. Then & Now • Percent of families with just one child • In 1970: 33% • Today: 43% • Percent of married couples that have any children in the household • In 1970: 40% • Today: 20% What Happened?

  4. Ethical Reasons According to a survey from “The Childless by Choice Project”: • “I love my life, and my relationship, as it is, and having a child won’t enhance it.” • “I value freedom and independence.” • “I do not want to take on the responsibility of raising a child.” • “I have no desire to have a child, I feel no maternal or paternal instinct.” • I want to accomplish and experience things in life that would be difficult to do if I was a parent.” • “I want to focus my time and energy on interests, needs, and goals.” • “Raising children is very expensive and I do not have the money for it.”

  5. Social Reasons • The idea that children need more one-on-one time with their parents, and that having too many children makes this difficult, is becoming very popular. • Contraceptives are now readily available and it is socially acceptable for physicians to distribute them. It is also socially acceptable to purchase contraceptives at convenience stores. • Contraception has become much more popular and socially acceptable in our schools over the years. • Now that it is the “norm” to not have many children, it is often seen as socially odd if a family ends up having a lot of kids. • Youtube clip: http://youtu.be/CxxJt7k0lEA

  6. Political Reasons • There are no rules or regulations on how many children you can have in the U.S. • Abortion was legalized on January 22, 1973. This is was very controversial. Since then, abortion has become much more available, and continues to play a role in the decreasing birth rates here in America.

  7. The Other Side of The Topic: Why Some Couples are Having More Children Than Most Americans • “A large number of children brings to the home liveliness and joy.” • “With more siblings, there are more playmates, more sharing and more love to give and receive.” • “The more kids you have, the more helpers you have around the house.” • Religious Convictions • A few examples of religious statements aimed to encourage Americans to have many children: • “Large families were God’s plan from the beginning.” • “How many children we receive is determined by God’s holy will!” • Deciding not to use effective contraceptive methods, or any contraceptive methods at all

  8. What Could Cause Childbearing in America to Increase Once More • Establishing a more family-friendly tax code • Pushing for more flexible work hours • The reduction of the cost of college • A rise in the economy • A more secure economic foundation beneath working-class Americans

  9. Sources • Douthat, Ross. “More Babies, Please.” NYTimes.com. The New York Times, 01 Dec. 2012. Web. 23 Nov. 2013. < http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/02/opinion/sunday/douthat-the-birthrate-and-americas-future.html>. • Momversation. “Wow, That’s a Lot of Kids! Do You Judge Large Families?” Youtube. Web. 25 Nov. 2013. <http://youtu.be/CxxJt7k0lEA>. • “Roe v. Wade (No. 70-18) 314 F.Supp. 1217, Affirmed in Part and Reversed in Part.” Law.Cornell.edu. Legal Information Institute, n.d. Web. 24 Nov. 2013. <http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/historics/USSC_CR_0410_0113_ZS.html>.

  10. Sources • “The Childless by Choice Survey.” ChildessByChoiceProject.com. The Childless by Choice Project, n.d. Web. 26 Nov. 2013. <http://childlessbychoiceproject.com/ Childless_by_Choice_Survey.html>. • United States Census Bureau. U.S. Department of Commerce, n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2013. <http://www.census.gov>. • Winfrey, Oprah. “Big Families.” Oprah.com. Everything Oprah, 10 July 2008. Web. 26 Nov. 2013. <http://www.oprah.com/oprahradio/Big-Families_1>.

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