#DAY67
67/80
Band 8.0
In some countries around the world men and women are having children late in life.
- What are the reasons for this development?
- What are the effects on society and family life?
- These days, there is a growing trend towards delayed parenthood among people. This tendency mainly stems from career and financial factors, and I think this can have different complications for families and society.
- One significant reason why people choose to have children at an older age is career-related ambitions. In today’s competitive job market, individuals often prioritize a stable and successful career before starting a family. This usually comes with years of higher education, gaining experience, and striving for promotions, all of which require time, energy, and full commitment. A good illustration of this is in European countries, where young people often start families in their thirties, rather than in their twenties, mainly because of career development.
- An equally compelling factor is financial considerations. In a world characterized by an ever-increasing cost of living, many individuals are forced to delay having children until they reach financial security. The rising expenses of basic necessities, including clothing, food, and housing, make raising a child more challenging, particularly for new couples. A good case in point is Uzbekistan, where young people are increasingly postponing starting a family due to rising costs of living and limited financial independence in their early twenties.
- However, this is a largely negative change for families. When people start families and have children late, several health-related issues may arise, including reduced fertility in parents and a higher risk of complications for the child. For example, one of my aunts married at the age of 30 and had difficulty conceiving for a couple of years, eventually requiring medical treatment before she was finally able to have a baby. This clearly shows that postponed parenthood can have negative health implications for parents and children.
- One more adverse effect is a decline in demographics. This occurs because delaying parenthood typically results in lower birth rates, as families become significantly smaller and fertility naturally decreases with age. This naturally changes the population structure, leading to fewer young people entering society compared to the growing number of elderly. Japan is one of the clearest examples of a country facing demographic decline. The government is struggling to cope with the economic and social pressures created by an aging population, particularly as a shrinking workforce reduces tax revenue while increasing demand for pensions and healthcare services.
- In conclusion, the growing tendency to postpone parenthood is largely a result of modern career demands and rising living costs. While it may allow people to secure better living conditions before having children, I strongly believe that its negative effects outweigh the benefits, particularly in terms of health complications and the long-term demographic imbalance it creates.
