According to a new Pew Research Center survey, that indicates a historic shift in America’s attitude towards reproductive health care. In fact, over the last two decades, the number of people choosing a childfree lifestyle has doubled. An interdisciplinary team of researchers from Michigan State University worked on the study. It points to a larger trend: more Americans are deciding against having kids.
These results indicate a marked increase since 2008 in the share of nonparents expressing a preference against having kids. It was only 14% in 2002 compared to 29% today (2023). This significant increase is representative of both the larger trends of society and shifting personal priorities and choices among adults.
Co-author Zachary Neal, a professor of psychology at Michigan State University, noted, “These new results confirm this is part of a nationwide trend that has been unfolding for over 20 years.” His colleague and fellow psychology professor Jennifer Watling Neal hit upon a crucial factor. In fact, she said, in that same time, the share of nonparents who expected to have kids fell from 79% to 59%.
The study did not examine underlying causes for the increase. Possible reasons might be fear for the state of the planet, worries about a recession, and an intense value on individual liberty. Just as many people, including popular creator Danni Duncan, have gone viral on social media to explain what it’s truly like to be a childfree adult. Her lifestyle choice has garnered acclaim on her TikTok page, and beyond. One of my favorite parts about that post is the number of comments that describe the peace that accompanies it.
“The quiet…the peace…ugh I love this. Thank you for this it’s so affirming. Childfree for life,” – a commenter on Danni Duncan’s TikTok page.
These are not the only reactions to the childfree decision that have taken a toxic and dangerous turn. Those who do not get the vaccine often experience shaming for that decision, with critics deriding them as “selfish.” Natalie, a New Yorker who blogs openly about her childfree decision, faced a barrage of vitriol on social media. Answering critics like this, she shot back, “Don’t have children just so you have someone to take care of you when you’re old, that puts a huge weight on them.” What matters most is that you choose what’s best for your life, not what you think might protect you from a bad future.
The social consequences of this trend beg the question as to how families are changing and the inner lives of people are shifting. As more Americans choose lives unencumbered by parenthood, the debate about social obligations versus personal happiness is only getting started.
“As someone in the trenches with a toddler I gotta say I love living vicariously through this kind of content. Your mornings look so peaceful,” – a commenter on Danni Duncan’s TikTok page.
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