Sep 19, 2025 02:53 AM
(This post was last modified: Sep 19, 2025 02:59 AM by C C.)
https://www.psypost.org/u-s-sees-5-7-mil...phic-cliff
INTRO: New research from the University of New Hampshire paints a stark picture of shifting family structures in the United States, revealing that millions more women are without children than historical trends would predict.
The analysis shows that in 2024, there were 5.7 million more childless women in their primary childbearing years than anticipated, a gap that has widened substantially in recent years. This profound change in childbearing patterns has contributed to a cumulative total of 11.8 million fewer births over the past 17 years than would have occurred if earlier fertility rates had been maintained.
The rationale for this investigation stems from a long-standing question among demographers and sociologists about the lasting effects of major societal disruptions on personal life decisions, specifically the choice to have children. The period beginning with the Great Recession in 2007 initiated an era of significant economic, social, and later, public health turbulence, which was intensified by the global pandemic.
Initially, many experts believed that the decline in births seen during these periods was a temporary delay, and that many people who postponed starting a family would eventually “catch up” once conditions improved. However, nearly two decades after this period of instability began, fertility rates in the United States have not rebounded to previous levels.
Instead, they remain near historic lows, prompting researchers to explore whether these changes represent a temporary pause or a more permanent societal realignment regarding family and childbearing... (MORE - details)
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RELATED (scivillage): 1% of people don’t have sex. New research shows it may be partly genetic
INTRO: New research from the University of New Hampshire paints a stark picture of shifting family structures in the United States, revealing that millions more women are without children than historical trends would predict.
The analysis shows that in 2024, there were 5.7 million more childless women in their primary childbearing years than anticipated, a gap that has widened substantially in recent years. This profound change in childbearing patterns has contributed to a cumulative total of 11.8 million fewer births over the past 17 years than would have occurred if earlier fertility rates had been maintained.
The rationale for this investigation stems from a long-standing question among demographers and sociologists about the lasting effects of major societal disruptions on personal life decisions, specifically the choice to have children. The period beginning with the Great Recession in 2007 initiated an era of significant economic, social, and later, public health turbulence, which was intensified by the global pandemic.
Initially, many experts believed that the decline in births seen during these periods was a temporary delay, and that many people who postponed starting a family would eventually “catch up” once conditions improved. However, nearly two decades after this period of instability began, fertility rates in the United States have not rebounded to previous levels.
Instead, they remain near historic lows, prompting researchers to explore whether these changes represent a temporary pause or a more permanent societal realignment regarding family and childbearing... (MORE - details)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
RELATED (scivillage): 1% of people don’t have sex. New research shows it may be partly genetic
