America is experiencing a significant decline in its fertility rate, with current statistics showing the average woman in her peak reproductive years (ages 15-49) is expected to have only 1.7 children, far below the replacement rate of 2.1. This alarming trend has caught the attention of demographers, who worry about the broader societal and economic impacts that come with a shrinking, aging population. Similar crises have already resulted in substantial issues in countries like Japan and South Korea, where low birth rates have exacerbated workforce shortages and strained pensions.
Despite this national trend, a portion of younger women, particularly from Generation Z and Millennials, are opting to embrace motherhood. For example, Ashley Hartig, a 29-year-old from Florida, shares her experience of becoming a mother while resisting the pressures of modern “girl boss” culture. She finds immense joy in her family and plans to have another child to provide her youngest sibling with companionship. Hartig acknowledges that financial concerns heavily influence young couples’ decisions about whether to expand their families, noting that many women desire to be stay-at-home moms but find it economically unfeasible.
Polling data from Pew Research highlights the various reasons that contribute to reluctance in having children. While 57% of respondents indicated they simply do not want children, others cite concerns such as financial strain, environmental issues, and a lack of ideal partners. Lillian, a 21-year-old aspiring mother of ten, embodies a counter-narrative to the anti-natalist sentiments prevalent among many of her peers. Her motivation stems from a desire for “cultural replication,” wanting to raise children who embody values she cherishes, indirectly pushing back against the nihilism observed in her generation.
The pronatalist movement has emerged as a response to declining birth rates, featuring notable advocates like Elon Musk. This movement extends beyond societal necessity, drawing from religious and cultural motivations as well. Emma Waters, a family policy analyst at the Heritage Foundation, elaborates on how concerns about national security and economic health intersect with religious beliefs regarding family size. Naomi Green, a product of a large Orthodox Jewish family, appreciates the bonds and support that come with having siblings and aims to extend similar values to her own children.
As the gap between desired and actual fertility rates continues to widen—an issue termed the “fertility gap”—the average woman envisions a family of 2.5 children but often ends up with considerably fewer. Researchers at the Heritage Foundation advocate for policy reforms to assist families and help close this gap. Measures discussed include changing welfare structures and tax codes to better support parents, especially those experiencing infertility challenges.
Public perception also plays a critical role in shaping family planning decisions. Madison Rae, a Manhattan mother of three, recounts her experience facing judgment for her larger family. While there has been a surge in families opting for three children in her affluent city neighborhood, she reflects on the societal expectations that consider bigger families impractical or even “crazy.” Growing up as an only child herself, Rae always aspired for a larger family, feeling encouraged by both her social surroundings and the emerging trend among her peers to embark on parenthood as well.
