This article was very informative! I would like to add that I was literally panicked to have my children AFTER age 35 because of all the “statistics” that show decline in fertility and rise in birth defects after age 35. I think the emphasis on these “statistics” is another unspoken factor for women having fewer babies. My mother had 3 healthy babies after age 37 and her mother had a healthy baby at age 47! I would have liked to have other children but I was too scared by the “after age 35” statistics. If you look back in history women commonly bore children from age 20-45; resulting in large families.
If couples could only realize what a joy parenting really is in the long run, I believe many couples would be willing to have more children due to the deep satisfaction and meaning they bring to life in all the stages!
craigJuly 6, 2021
I'm skeptical of the claim that women are having fewer children than they would like. This is because actions speak louder than words. If they wanted more children, really wanted them, they would have them. No one is stopping them. I feel like the data in such studies is much like the data in religious surveys when a person answers that they attend church at least once a month when, in fact, they only attend twice a year. Perhaps they feel guilty in not having more children and say they want more even if they have no intention of having them. Much like the person who lies about church attendance does so out of feeling guilty that they are not there on Sunday, even if they have no intention of going.
I honestly don't see this as much of a problem. I believe that this is a natural self correction. The decline will plateau and human society will adjust.
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JaneJuly 7, 2021
This article was very informative! I would like to add that I was literally panicked to have my children AFTER age 35 because of all the “statistics” that show decline in fertility and rise in birth defects after age 35. I think the emphasis on these “statistics” is another unspoken factor for women having fewer babies. My mother had 3 healthy babies after age 37 and her mother had a healthy baby at age 47! I would have liked to have other children but I was too scared by the “after age 35” statistics. If you look back in history women commonly bore children from age 20-45; resulting in large families. If couples could only realize what a joy parenting really is in the long run, I believe many couples would be willing to have more children due to the deep satisfaction and meaning they bring to life in all the stages!
craigJuly 6, 2021
I'm skeptical of the claim that women are having fewer children than they would like. This is because actions speak louder than words. If they wanted more children, really wanted them, they would have them. No one is stopping them. I feel like the data in such studies is much like the data in religious surveys when a person answers that they attend church at least once a month when, in fact, they only attend twice a year. Perhaps they feel guilty in not having more children and say they want more even if they have no intention of having them. Much like the person who lies about church attendance does so out of feeling guilty that they are not there on Sunday, even if they have no intention of going. I honestly don't see this as much of a problem. I believe that this is a natural self correction. The decline will plateau and human society will adjust.
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