Comment Editor Emma Gilland evaluates the social and sociological climate surrounding the falling fertility rate in the younger generations
Fertility trends have long been in decline, but as 2024 drew to a close, an explosion in the number of concerns regarding falling birth rates has led governments to examine their policy options to encourage childbirth. With fertility rates falling to 1.44 per woman in England and Wales, from 1.82 in 2015, it is evident that we need to shake up the way we think about having children.
Governments worldwide have attempted to shape the reproductive behaviour of young adults. For instance, Finland and Hungary provide financial incentives and substantial tax breaks to those who are committing to raise the next generation. However, these have not been successful. Despite Finland spending £400,000 on payments for parents, their population has shrunk by a further 1/5. If social policy is not providing the fix, what is the solution?
The anxieties of the modern world – as opposed to their ‘irresponsible’ actions – are instead to blame.
Increasing focus has been given to Generation Z women, as they are more conscious about their work-life balance, freedom, choice and most importantly their financial stability. Often put down to their ‘self-centred’ traits, this generation is not at fault. The anxieties of the modern world – as opposed to their ‘irresponsible’ actions – are instead to blame.
Despite the financial and emotional costs of starting a family, many in Generation Z still crave a family life. Although they are having lex sex and fewer committed relationships, the desire for marriage is still present. Parson’s ‘warm bath theory’ idealised the family, as a refuge and sanctity away from the insecure and uncomfortable outside world. Thus, a paradox is emerging: if the younger generations want the stability of family life, why are more children not being born? Despite the craving for domestic bliss, there is no warm bath for women to return home to. They instead are still responsible for running the bath for everyone else, while battling against the forces of inequality that remain in the outside world.
If the younger generations want the stability of family life, why are more children not being born?
A study by Charlotte Faircloth in 2015 highlighted that the pressing gender inequalities which, while have reduced significantly in until the point of childbirth, stubbornly persist hereafter. Faircloth argues that while spouses are able to be equals before children, an inevitable rift is formed between the two once a child is born. Prevailing gender norms continue to shape parental identities and external expectations, maintaining a static division of labour in regard to children.
This builds on research by Ann Oakley and Arlie Hochschild. They have previously shown that gender inequality, rooted in the identification of women as the ‘unpaid domestic worker’, has significantly devalued work in the home, and caused persistent barriers to the ‘domesticity’ of men. Therefore, while women have been driven to go out to work, men are struggling to put an extra foot forward in the home. This remains the case despite the increase in flexible working or work from home policies, as the ‘flexibility paradox’ has exacerbated divisions based on entrenched ‘internal identities and external expectations’.
The existing inequalities both at home and in the workplace are driving up the price of children
This is not dissimilar to the issues facing women in the workplace. Persisting gender inequality is a major factor in the turn away from having children. Statistics show that up to the age of 30 women are outpacing men, especially educationally, yet once the Gender Pay gap increases by 2.5% annually post-30, and 4.8% post-40. The ‘motherhood penalty’ remains, making up more than 80% of the Gender pay gap, often as a result of the move towards part time to balance looking after children. With childcare in the UK currently estimated to cost an average of £15,000 per child per year under two, most women are either forced to stay at home, or to remain in demanding jobs to pay the cost.
So for a generation of women pushed into student debt, and craving financial stability in an uncertain market, the price of children is greater than before. The existing inequalities both at home and in the workplace are driving up the price of children, and without a fix for this, it is unlikely governments will be able to reverse the fertility decline.
If you liked this, you’ll love…
Our Bodies, Their Bodies: Do Women Truly Have Agency?
Comments