© UNFPA/Z. Modola A young mother with her newborn son in Chisinau, Moldova. UN study: young people do not give up parenthood – economic problems hinder them Sustainable Development Goals
Contrary to popular belief, young people around the world continue to strive to start families. However, economic difficulties, primarily lack of money and inaccessibility of housing, are increasingly preventing them from implementing these plans. This is according to the results of a new global study published by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
More than 108 thousand Internet users aged 18 to 39 years from 73 countries or territories took part in the survey. This is one of the largest international studies devoted to how young people imagine their future related to family and having children.
The main obstacle is economic instability
Regardless of the region of the world, respondents named almost the same reasons preventing them from starting a family and having children. In the first place were financial instability and housing problems.
UNFPA believes that these data refute many common myths about the causes of the decline in fertility.
Myth: due to the spread of feminism women no longer want to have children
On social networks and the media, the explanation for the decline in the birth rate is often cited as the expansion of women’s rights and the growing popularity of feminism. However, the results of the study indicate the opposite: the overwhelming majority of women, like men, still want to have children. In most countries, respondents named two as the ideal number of children.
The UN agency emphasizes that, despite ideas about the rooting of feminism, women often still cannot control their own bodies and independently make decisions regarding reproduction.
In addition, according to the survey, women are more likely than men to consider almost all possible obstacles to having children – from financial difficulties to health problems and infertility. This, according to researchers, does not indicate a reluctance to have children, but that it is women who feel the difficulties associated with this to a greater extent.Another common stereotype is that the new generation allegedly does not strive for marriage and parenthood at all. However, more than two-thirds of survey participants named marriage as the ideal form of relationship, and almost 80 percent believe that it is first necessary to find a permanent partner, and only then have children. time alone and not in a relationship. Men reported this more often than women.
57 percent of study participants again cited economic problems and lack of affordable housing as the main obstacles to starting a family.
Myth: Declining teenage birth rate is a cause for concern
UNFPA also rejects the idea that the decline in teenage pregnancies poses a threat to society.
On the contrary, experts call the decline in teenage fertility an important public health achievement. This means more girls can complete school and avoid the health risks associated with early pregnancy. At the same time, many of them later become mothers anyway.
The authors emphasize that the task of states is not to convince people to have children earlier, but to create conditions that allow them to become parents when they themselves consider it right.
According to the study, young people consider financial stability, permanent work, and also psychological and emotional readiness.
Myth: Young people are too selfish and need financial motivation to start a family
The study also refutes the idea that young people do not want children because of selfishness or insufficient material incentives. The most common reason respondents give for wanting to become parents was happiness. and the joy that children bring.
Most survey participants are already raising children. Among those who had not yet become parents by the age of 35–39, 79 percent of men and 72 percent of women said they would still like to have children in the future.
At the same time, factors such as government incentives or the need to have children for the sake of the future labor force were among the least important motives.
Policy must be based on realities people’s needs
UNFPA emphasizes that the study results suggest a more constructive approach to population policy.
Instead of speculating about the reasons for the decline in fertility or trying to change the views of young people, states should eliminate the barriers that citizens themselves say are the main ones: providing affordable housing, stable employment, quality education, health services and support for young families. This is the only way, the UN agency believes, that people will be able to realize their plans for a family on their own terms.