I wish society didn't encourage people to put off having kids.

[Anonymous]

I had my kids at 31 and 33, which according to current standards is about the perfect age. However, my own parent had me at 23 and 24 and it's weird to me to think that when my parents were my age (46), I was already out of college, whereas my own kids are 12 and 14. I'm a bit torn because I certainly enjoyed my childfree time in my 20's, but hate to think that my kids and future grandkids will be younger when I'm gone. I didn't lose my first grandparent, till I was in my 40s. I understand the benefits of delaying kids, but sometimes, I think society is doing a disservice to us by encouraging this.

[Anonymous]

As a biologist, I wish more people understood that fertility peaks in your early 20s. Emphasis on early.

However, that is too young for many people to have a stable source of income without depending on a spouse, parents or the government. We should not encourage people to have kids they cannot support.

It's a case of biology vs. economics.

[Anonymous]

I hope you support paid family leave and universal affordable childcare, and candidates that push for those policies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hope you support paid family leave and universal affordable childcare, and candidates that push for those policies.

This. We make childbearing very difficult on working women. If we’re not careful we’ll end up like Japan, where the birthdate isn’t enough to replace the aging population.

[Anonymous]

^ birthrate, not birthdate. Damn phone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous[b wrote:]I hope you support paid family leave and universal affordable childcare, and candidates that push for those policies.[/b]

I do, but in the past, everyone started having kids in their early 20's and none of these things existed.

[Anonymous]

What are you talking about?!

People make reproductive decision based on their circumstances. For many, it does not make sense to have children until they've finished higher education and have some financial security. Also, the marriage age is going up, as part of a long-term socio-economic trend.

My parents had me when they were 34. I had my own kids in my early 40s. It just happened that way, not b/c of some nefarious force you call "society."

[Anonymous]

My father passed away at 48 due to cancer and I am so thankful he and my mother had us early. If I were to pass away at 48 my children would be so young.

[Anonymous]

Communities that encourage couples to marry young and have kids young usually operate on a presumption that parents will support their young marrieds financially for at least a few years, or gift them a significant nest egg to start off.

This can work in a pay-it-forward sort of way when it is a strong community norm, but it carries its own significant risks and downsides.

[Anonymous]

It was a different time back then.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous[b wrote:]I hope you support paid family leave and universal affordable childcare, and candidates that push for those policies.[/b]

I do, but in the past, everyone started having kids in their early 20's and none of these things existed.

The world is SO different, financially speaking. Living on one income is way less possible today; education and childcare costs have skyrocketed compared to wages; income disparity is at enormously high levels compared to the 70s.

[Anonymous]

I wish I had them when I was in my late 20s with all the energy to do it all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What are you talking about?!

People make reproductive decision based on their circumstances. For many, it does not make sense to have children until they've finished higher education and have some financial security. Also, the marriage age is going up, as part of a long-term socio-economic trend.

My parents had me when they were 34. I had my own kids in my early 40s. It just happened that way, not b/c of some nefarious force you call "society."

Surely you have noticed that young people are discouraged from marrying in their early 20's? It was this way in the early 90's when I graduated college. No one got married right out of college, although quite a few people married their college sweethearts a few years later.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's a case of biology vs. economics.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous[b wrote:]It was a different time back then.[/b]

I know. That's what I'm lamenting.