childbearing

1. more births outside marriage

around 48% of all birth in UK are outside marriage

WHY?

• more cohabitation - 67% of these births are from those who cohabitate

• secularism → no longer seen as illegitimate

• changing social attitudes

• women’s independence → can afford to bring up children alone

2. women have children later

average age for first time mothers is 29, more women having children in their 40s.

WHY?

• establish careers first

• advances in technology e.g. IVF

• women in education longer

• delay marriage

3. women having fewer children

40% married couples have only one child

WHY?

• since childbirth is delayed, increases risk of fertility problems

• children are expensive (marxism - economic burden)

• more reliable contraceptives

• career takes priority

• child - centredness → children’s needs are seen as a priority

4. more women remain child free

in 2019, 19% women were childless by 46, more than double compared to previous generation.

WHY?

• changing social attitudes

• individualism

• careers take priority

• more reliable contraceptives