Amid Vance’s ‘childless cat ladies’ comment, experts look at declining birth rate

Former President Donald Trump continues to brush off criticism from his 2021 running mate, Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio, for saying that “childless cat ladies” have destroyed American values. While Trump has stressed that childless adults are just as good as parents and that Vance places a very high value on family in his own life given his tumultuous upbringing, Americans are having fewer and fewer children.

Vance, the Republican vice presidential nominee, himself said comments he made three years ago had been “radically” taken out of context by Democrats.

Trump, who describes himself as a “family man,” told Fox News’ “Sunday Night in America” ​​host Trey Gowdy that he firmly believes “there are a lot of people out there who don’t have children for a variety of reasons, but they are absolutely wonderful people who can participate fully in the life of this country.”

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He said Democrats have become increasingly “anti-family” and “anti-parent” in recent years, citing concerns about climate change as one of the reasons for not having children.

Whatever the reason, in April, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that the American birth rate has fallen 3% since 2022, hitting an all-time low. The birth rate has been steadily declining since 2014, except for a brief increase of 1% from 2020 to 2021.

Data shows that younger Americans’ priorities have shifted in recent years, including their desire to have children.

Experts say the decline could be driven by a number of factors, including an increased focus on career goals, the costs of raising children, prioritizing personal freedom and mental health, fears about an uncertain future, and growing concerns about fertility.

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Kyle Elliott, a career coach and job search expert based in Santa Barbara, California, told Fox News Digital: Working Professionals.

“We’re seeing a huge increase in career interest among Americans,” he said.

“In the past, there were certain expectations, but now the path is not so predictable or promising.”

“They are finding it more difficult to balance work and life because their careers are taking up so much of their time.”

According to Elliott, most Americans work 50 to 60 hours a week.

“That balance is much harder to achieve than it was 20 years ago, 10 years ago or even five years ago,” he said.

One expert noted that many Americans now work 50 to 60 hours a week, making it nearly impossible to have children. (iStock)

He said people who work long hours are more likely to achieve their career goals and earn more, which is why many see giving up childcare responsibilities as “beneficial.”

Elliott said company policies around parental leave and child care also come into play.

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While some U.S. companies are improving their facilities for new parents, the U.S. is “still far behind other countries,” he said.

Employees Maternity or parental leaveBut many still have childcare responsibilities, “which makes it a really tough balance,” Elliott said.

One expert suggested that to recruit and retain employees, companies should continue to offer family-friendly accommodations. (iStock)

“I think both employees and employers would benefit if companies offered more accommodations, whether that be child care, additional leave, or more flexibility, such as remote work or the ability to work from anywhere,” he said.

“I think there are a lot of opportunities to do more to support parents,” he said in his professional opinion.

The cost of raising children

The costs of having a child can be daunting for young Americans. Inflation remains high This was reported by the Department of Labor in many U.S. states.

A middle-income couple with two children can expect to pay about $306,924 to raise a child born in 2023, according to data from Credit Karma.

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The estimate is based on a 2017 U.S. Department of Agriculture survey.

Cost factors include housing (approximately 30% of total costs), food, child care and education, transportation, medical care, clothing, and other items.

Day care alone can cost as much as $17,000 a year in some states, according to 2023 data from the U.S. Department of Labor.

One expert said childcare costs have become “astronomical.” (iStock)

There may also be additional expenses to save for your child’s future, such as college planning.

Dr. Michelle Borba, a California-based educational psychologist and parenting expert, agreed that finances are a “huge factor” in dual-income parents’ decision to have children.

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“Child care costs are incredibly high and beyond the reach of many parents,” she told Fox News Digital.

In the past, “we had nuclear families, and our mothers lived next door… and in many cases, [people] “That” doesn’t exist now.

Cultural and political change

Experts say American family structures are changing from previous generations, with many couples choosing to marry later in life and limiting the number of children they have.

Borba, author of “Survivors: The Surprising Reasons Some Kids Struggle and Others Thrive,” highlighted the increased attention being given to mental health and the need for parents to be mentally strong in raising their children.

“Not only are we seeing a decline in pregnancies, but we’re also seeing a decline in large families,” one psychologist said of modern parenting. (iStock)

The psychologist noted that many Americans don’t have a solid support system to help them with raising children, making single parenthood “even more difficult” for unmarried people.

A desire for personal freedom can also influence the decision not to have children, she noted.

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Jonathan Alpert is New York Citysaid he believes politics have influenced people’s decisions about whether to have children.

“Patients often cite reasons like, ‘I don’t want to increase my carbon footprint’ or ‘I don’t want to contribute to overpopulation,’ but others are also very worried about the state of the world and say, ‘The world is too dangerous a place to raise children,'” he told Fox News Digital.

One psychologist pointed out that parents are often more stressed than their children. (iStock)

Alpert said people on the “more moderate” side of the political spectrum “are concerned about what it would be like to raise their children in an environment where there are issues with pronouns, boys competing in girls’ sports, boys and girls sharing locker rooms.”

Others simply don’t feel the same pressure to have children as people in the past, psychologists noted.

“In the past, there were certain expectations: go to school, meet someone, get married, have kids. Now, that path is not so predictable or expected.”

Fear of the unknown

Borba said many adults also suffer from anxiety about the future, which can lead to a “pessimistic” outlook when considering bringing humans into the world.

Some parents may ask themselves, “Is this the right place to have a child?” or “Should I bring a human being into this world if I don’t feel safe myself?”

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Parenting is “not as relaxed” as it was decades ago, Borba said, when parents were more permissive and there was less emphasis on accelerated development and safety.

Parenting is “not as relaxed as it was a few decades ago,” one expert said. (iStock)

Previous generations of children “had a lot more free time and play,” Borba said.

“Unfortunately, these things don’t exist in the world of children today. [prospective] Parents are growing up in a fear-based world, and that influences the decisions they make.”

Infertility problems

The possibility that women may experience problems with pregnancy and childbirth can be another barrier to having children.

That’s according to Dr. Jillian Lopiano, a Miami-based obstetrician-gynecologist and chief medical officer for reproductive telemedicine platform Wisp, who told Fox News Digital that the health and cost implications of childbirth can dissuade couples from trying to become parents.

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Lopiano said the U.S. is currently facing a maternal mortality crisis.

The maternal mortality rate in 2021 was reported to be 32 per 100,000 live births, two to three times higher than the current rate in other countries with similar resources.

According to 2023 CDC data, Cesarean section rates have increased for the fourth consecutive year. (iStock)

This could be due to older maternal ages, chronic health conditions and a rise in pregnancy-related health conditions that can appear at the “extreme age groups,” Lopiano said.

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“Lack of access to adequate prenatal care, the cost of health care, restrictive reproductive health laws, all contribute to poor outcomes,” she said.

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Lopiano told Fox News Digital that socio-economic factors and other insecurities are also contributing to the falling birth rate.

“Should I have a baby?”

For couples wondering whether to have children, Borba encouraged them to use their best judgment.

“You know yourself best,” she says, “and at the end of the day, you know who you are and what you can give, so make your decision based on what’s best for your family and your children.”

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Borba suggested writing down your reasons in a journal and leaning on a support system you can trust.

“If you want to stick to your decision, you need to be resolute and understand your ‘why,’ which means doing a bit of self-reflection,” she advised.

“At the end of the day, you know who you are and what you can give, so make your decision based on what’s best for your family and your child,” one psychologist said. (iStock)

Borba also stressed the importance of being on the same page with your partner when it comes to having children.

If mental health is a primary concern, she suggested seeking help from a provider who can help clarify the decision.

Long-term effects

Alpert said that overall, it’s natural for birth rates to “rise and fall” over time.

“You probably don’t need to worry. [by today’s declining birth rates]” he told Fox News Digital.

“lots of [prospective] Parents are growing up in a fear-based world, and that influences the decisions they make.”

“However, a significant decline could put a strain on the health care system as the ratio of elderly people to births increases and more resources are dedicated to caring for the elderly.”

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Fewer people will join the workforce, which could lead to less spending, slowing economic growth and hurting the Social Security system, Alpert added.

FOX Business’ Megan Henney contributed to this report.