THE SHIFT TOWARDS LATER PARENTHOOD

Why are people having kids later in their life rather than early? 

Statistics show that people are waiting till their late twenties to have children. Only forty years ago the age of parents was in the late teens, but now 26 is the average age for parents in America. 

A WOMAN LOOKING AT LIFE'S PATH, WONDERING IF SHE SHOULD HAVE CHILDREN; GRAPHIC BY LILI NANDELL

Why is that? Well there are many reasons as to why the average is rising, one being effects on the male reproductive tract. One of these effects is a condition that affects how much sperm is made and the quality. This can occur for many reasons, some being undescended testicles, genetic defects, or hormone problems. Infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, or HIV also can also impact sperm. Problems may present with sperm reaching the female reproductive tract, such as cystic fibrosis, physical problems such as a blockage in the testicle, or even damage/injury to the reproductive organs. Damage to the male sex organ, such as cancer and its treatment, has also been found to affect sperm production. With that being said, the female tract is just as prone to disorders that can cause infertility. This includes high levels of a hormone needed to make breast milk, called prolactin. It may have an effect on ovulation. In addition to this, either too much of a hormone, called hyperthyroidism, or too little, called hypothyroidism, can affect the menstrual cycle or cause infertility. There can be growths on the uterus called uterine polyps, problems with the shape of the uterus, or the cervix. Benign tumors or non-cancerous tumors may form in the wall of the uterus, called uterine fibroids, and they can block the fallopian tubes, which is where the egg and sperm meet. But a condition called salpingitis is a swelling of the fallopian tube, which is caused by an infection. Endometriosis is a condition in which the inner lining of the uterus grows on the outside rather than inside. Cancer and its treatments can reduce female fertility, especially when exposed to radiation and chemotherapy. 

But conditions and disorders aren't the only cause, education is a very big factor in why people are waiting. In the 1960s only 6% of women had a college degree, most being white women. As of 2023, 44% of women have a college degree. That has gone up by 38% in the span of 63 years. Education is a very important thing in our society and over the years it has overtaken women's desire to have children right out of high school. It is common knowledge that we have the cost of living. In Iowa it was estimated that the cost of living month from month was $117.48 in the 1960s. But reportedly, in 1995 it was $551.04. That is a 433.56 dollar difference in 35 years. Data shows that in 1960 the average of a median house was valued at around $98,000. In 2010 that same house cost over $210,000. That is nearly a 114% increase, with adjustment for inflation. As stated previously, women have started going to college, but the cost is also rising with inflation. A higher education in 1987 cost around $3,200 a year, but now it's around $9,970 in tuition and fees. That is an increase of 212 percent. To attend a private school, it was an average of $15,160 dollars, but now it is $34,470, which is a 129 percent increase. 

Ultimately, all of this evidence shows why people are having children later in life. There are other reasons why, but the list would be too long. Everyone has their own life experience, justifications, or fear, but that doesn't mean people are selfish or wrong for not having children.