Social conservatives cite legal abortions as the reason for declining birth rates. This is not the full reason, as 61% of women who have had abortions already have one child, and most say they would be open to having a child under different circumstances. The defense of legal abortion did lead feminists to create a national discourse about the concert of "choice", which helped legitimize the decision to remain childless.
Women may be forsaking motherhood because this concept of a woman's choice has created a space for them to embrace their desire not to have children. Still, a woman who remains childless continues to face negative stereotypes, such as being selfish or too career-minded.
Choosing not to have a child is viewed in a negative light by most Americans, but this finding may be a sign that the attitude is slowly shifting, from motherhood being considered a default state of adulthood, to a choice.
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1 comments:
I find this article a bit off. It makes mention of all supposed reasons for women not having babies, from abortion to selfishness and Careers. It comes off a bit judgmental. There are many other reasons for woman not having children as much as they use to.
How about being Responsible adults? Many of us are responsible enough to know to not reproduce if we are not healthy or financially secure or in a committed relationship where support can be found.
Just because a woman doesn't have a child doesn't mean she's selfish as so many think.
Some women don't have children because they know it would be selfish to bring a child in the world to satisfy some maternal need and yet not have the tools (emotional, health or financial) to care for a child properly.
I have no children and that was a choice not due to career or being selfish. I am not healthy enough to insure that I will be around long after having a child to take care of it. Also, I'm not financially secure to insure that the child will receive all its needs. So why bring a child into the world with such obstacles?
I would rather love the children that are already in my family. Being an aunt and godmother is very rewarding. Especially since I’m very involved in the growth and mile stones of these children’s’ lives. And I see no reason to die on the operating table and leave a child motherless the same as my cousin did.
Also, one more reason women are not having children is that many are barren. That's why there is a hot market for surrogates and in vitro. For those who can afford the funds for such procedure, great for them. But many are not as financially secure to have a surrogate to assistant in their quest for procreation.
Another thing to consider is that society and economics have changed drastically from the days of large families. Once upon a time one income could support a family of 5 or 4. Now it takes two incomes just to support a family of 3 or 4.
So there are a lot of other factors that are playing towards the decline in woman procreating to be considered.
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