Why some couples are choosing a life without children
Why some couples are choosing a life without children
The U.S. fertility rate has plummeted in the last two decades and now sits near record lows, according to data released last week by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Some young adults say high costs, climate change and careers are holding them back. But many say they simply don’t want kids. Nikki Battiste reports.
Read the full article on CBS US
Truth Analysis
Analysis Summary:
The article appears mostly accurate, citing the CDC on declining fertility rates. It highlights common reasons for choosing a child-free life, such as financial concerns and career aspirations. There's a slight bias towards presenting the child-free choice as a growing trend, though the extent of this trend isn't fully substantiated by the provided sources.
Detailed Analysis:
- Claim:** "The U.S. fertility rate has plummeted in the last two decades and now sits near record lows, according to data released last week by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention." This claim is verifiable, though the provided sources do not directly confirm the CDC data release. *Verification Source #4:* alludes to changing attitudes towards parenthood, which could be linked to fertility rates.
- Claim:** "Some young adults say high costs, climate change and careers are holding them back." This is a plausible explanation for declining fertility rates. *Verification Source #1:* touches on personal reasons for not wanting children, which can include career aspirations.
- Claim:** "But many say they simply don't want kids." This is also a plausible reason. *Verification Source #4:* mentions couples "going childless by choice."
Supporting Evidence/Contradictions:
- Verification Source #4:* supports the idea that more couples are choosing to be childless.
- Verification Source #1:* provides anecdotal evidence of individuals choosing a child-free life and finding joy in it.
- Verification Source #2:* provides anecdotal evidence from a Reddit thread of couples over 40 who are childless, discussing their experiences.
- Verification Source #3:* and *Verification Source #5:* discuss the changes in a marriage after having children, which implicitly supports the idea that some couples may choose to avoid these changes by not having children.
- The provided sources do not offer statistical data to confirm the extent of the decline in fertility rates or the proportion of couples choosing a child-free life due to specific reasons like climate change. This information would require external verification.