Choosing Not to Have Children: The Pros and Cons

More Americans than ever are choosing not to have children. A Pew Research Center survey found that nearly half of U.S. adults under 50 without kids say they’re unlikely ever to become parents.¹ For some, it’s a financial choice; for others, it’s about wanting to focus on career and personal goals. But for the majority, the reason is straightforward: They just don’t want to.¹

These insights come from “The Experiences of U.S. Adults Who Don’t Have Children,” a Pew study that surveyed 2,542 adults 50 and older without children and 770 adults 18–49 who don’t have children and don’t plan to.¹

Their responses shed light on how people experience life without children. They also preview a changing demographic landscape that public health professionals, policymakers, and other community stakeholders are likely to study over time.

Here’s a closer look at what survey participants cited as some of the trade-offs and benefits of not having kids:

PROS

• Career Focus: For many adults, a key benefit of not having kids is being able to invest more time and effort into their careers. In Pew’s findings, 44% of child-free adults under 50 said their career success was easier to achieve without the responsibilities of parenting. Adults without children may have more flexibility to travel, work overtime, relocate for a current or new position, or assume additional short- or long-term responsibilities.
• Financial Freedom: Without the high cost of raising children—which is estimated at more than $310,000²—many child-free women and men said they had more flexibility to travel, invest, and enjoy discretionary spending. In the Pew survey, 61% of adults 50 and older said not having kids made it easier to afford the lifestyle they wanted.
• Stronger Relationships: About 36% of adults 50 and older who never planned to have children said their decision had a positive effect on their relationship with their spouse or partner. With or without children, couples’ relationship satisfaction tends to sag over time, but having kids seems to speed things up, especially for married moms. In a study published in the Journal of Marriage and Family, just 38% of married mothers of infants reported being highly satisfied in the relationship with their spouse, while 62% of married women without kids reported being highly satisfied.³
• More Me Time: Raising children takes time and energy, often leaving little room for hobbies, entertainment, socializing, or just sleeping. Many childless family members say they value the freedom to spend time as they choose. In the Pew survey, 57% of adults over 50 said not having children made it easier to spend time enjoying hobbies and interests.

CONS

• Changing Social Circles: Even long-standing friendships can change when people’s lives head in different directions. As friends become parents, their priorities and routines often shift, and they may start forming closer bonds with other parents. According to Pew, 39% of adults under 50 said not having children made it more difficult to maintain relationships with friends who are parents.
• What-If Moments: The choice to not have children is generally made after much thought and deliberation. But even those who feel sure about their decision can sometimes experience moments of doubt or wonder about the path not chosen. Nearly one-third of adults 50 and older without children told Pew they worried that there will be no one to carry on their values and traditions after they’re gone. Some also expressed concern about not having family to help support or care for them as they age.
• Uneven Workload: Here’s another perspective on how work affects adults without children: many said they often end up shouldering extra responsibilities to cover for colleagues with kids. In the Pew study, 39% of working adults under 50 said they’d received less flexibility than colleagues with children, and 35% reported being asked to take on extra duties because they didn’t have parental obligations.
• Outside Pressure: People who choose not to have children may at times feel out of step, particularly in families or cultures where parenthood is highly valued. This can lead to uncomfortable conversations and sometimes having to explain or defend a highly personal decision. In the Pew study, approximately one-third of adults 50 and older said they’d felt pressured to have children “at least sometimes” from society in general (34%) and/or family members (32%).

Shape Tomorrow With a Public Health Degree

Earning a public health degree from Walden University can give you knowledge you can use to understand and address the opportunities and challenges of a world where fewer people are having children.

Walden’s online Master of Public Health (MPH) degree program offers a multidisciplinary curriculum that covers everything from epidemiology and biostatistics to environmental health and health policy, ensuring you have a robust tool kit you can use to make a real difference.

The MPH online format gives you the flexibility to balance your studies with your busy personal and professional life. You can log in to your MPH coursework on your own schedule, anywhere you have an internet connection. And because of its online format, Walden’s public health master’s degree program connects you with a global community of peers, fostering a dynamic and collaborative learning environment. You’ll engage in virtual discussions, group projects, and interactive modules that bring public health issues to life.

Walden’s commitment to research and evidence-based practice is another advantage. You’ll learn to conduct rigorous research and analyze data, building skills that are crucial in the field. And in your practicum, you’ll apply your knowledge to a real-world public health issue, guided by experienced faculty and public health experts.

If you’re ready to transform your passion for public health into action, you can learn more about Walden’s CEPH-accredited program online or by calling (855) 646-5286. Let your journey to becoming a public health professional begin here.

Walden University is an HLC-accredited institution offering an online Master of Public Health (MPH) degree. Expand your career options and earn your degree in a convenient, flexible format that fits your busy life.

¹Source: www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2024/07/25/the-experiences-of-u-s-adults-who-dont-have-children
²Source: www.investopedia.com/articles/personal-finance/090415/cost-raising-child-america.asp#citation-1
³Source: https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2003-07415-006

Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, www.hlcommission.org.