childbearing

• overall trends in childbearing

  47% of all children born outside of marriage

  women having children later = 28 vs 24 in 1971

  average number of children per women fell to 1.6 in 2001 from 2.95 in 1964

  predicted that 1/4 of women born in 1973 will be childless at age 45

  2024 = mean age of childbearing is 31
• reasons for changes in childbearing

  women have different roles in society

  cost of having a family

  more acceptable to not have children

  less stigma

  medical advancements
• womens changing roles and changes in childbearing

  women now prioritise educational success, jobs and careers to children and family

  link to sharpe's study
• cost of family and changes in childbearing

  HIRSCH - child would cost a couple £154,000 by age 18 (2014)

  2024 = estimated at £220,000 for a couple

  families weigh up costs of having a child versus opportunities that will be lost
• more acceptable to be childless and changes in childbearing

  beck-gernsheim = result of growing individualisation meaning people want more personal space and choice
• less stigma and changes in childbearing

  less stigma surrounding having children outside of marriage

  28% of 25-34 year olds think marriage should come before parenthood
• medical advancements and changes in childbearing

  more available and better quality contraception

  fertility treatments e.g IVF and technology for freezing eggs = possible to have babies later