In the past, it was a natural step that a couple would get married fairly young, and then start a family. However, this is no longer the case and the delaying of childbirth is becoming very common. This essay will consider the reasons for this trend and the possible effects on families and society.
The driving force behind this trend is changing employment patterns. As more women have pursued an education and entered the workforce, they tend to marry later and have children later in their life. This is unavoidable in many cases because women cannot combine family and work well due to costly childcare. Another factor is all the other opportunities available to everyone. For example, many men and women choose to travel around the world or take the chance to work in another country, thus delaying settling down.
There are a number of possible impacts on families and society. Firstly, with regards to families, it can be more difficult for older women to get pregnant and they may experience more health problems, such as a miscarriage, high blood pressure or diabetes, during pregnancy. Also, the parents may find the whole experience of bringing up children more tiring if they are older. In one respect it may be positive for society because if people are choosing to work for longer, a country will have a productive workforce. On the negative side though, in the long-term falling fertility rates will mean an aging population with a lack of young people to work and take care of the elderly.
In conclusion, there are several reasons that people are having children later in life, and this can have a number of impacts, both positive and negative. Given the fact that society continues to change, this trend is likely to continue well into the future.
In the past, it was a natural step that a couple would
get
married
fairly
young, and then
start
a
family
.
However
, this is no longer the case and the delaying of childbirth is becoming
very
common. This essay will consider the reasons for this trend and the possible effects on
families
and society.
The driving force behind this trend is changing employment patterns. As more
women
have pursued an education and entered the workforce, they tend to marry later and have children later in their life. This is unavoidable in
many
cases
because
women
cannot combine
family
and
work
well due to costly childcare. Another factor is all the other opportunities available to everyone.
For example
,
many
men
and
women
choose to travel around the world or take the chance to
work
in another country,
thus
delaying settling down.
There are a number of possible impacts on
families
and society.
Firstly
,
with regards to
families
, it can be more difficult for older
women
to
get
pregnant and
they may experience more health problems, such as a miscarriage, high blood pressure or diabetes, during pregnancy.
Also
, the parents may find the whole experience of bringing up children more tiring if they are older. In one respect it may be
positive
for society
because
if
people
are choosing to
work
for longer, a country will have a productive workforce. On the
negative
side though, in the long-term falling fertility rates will mean an aging population with a lack of young
people
to
work
and take care of the elderly.
In conclusion
, there are several reasons that
people
are having children later in life, and this can have a number of impacts, both
positive
and
negative
.
Given
the fact that society continues to
change
, this trend is likely to continue well into the future.