Band 6+: More and more couples are deciding to be "child-free", to have no children, in other words. Some people claim that those couples reach this conclusion through entirely selfish reasons. While others think that they came to this decision through noble motives, such as concern about overpopulation and desire for independence. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

The drop of fertility rates in developed countries is a heated topic of debate in academic circles. While some argue that couples are egoistic for not children, other specialists claim that young people have logic reasons to avoid starting families. In this essay, I will explore arguments for the two perspectives and give my own opinion.

On one hand, some specialists blame the rise in individualism for selfish attitude towards having children. First and foremost, as parenting is a demanding and unpaid job, people do not want to lose their freedom and bear emotion and economic costs in having a child. A study from Germany demonstrate that 70% young people believe that they will lose their freedom and sustain unwanted responsibility if they have offsprings. Additionally, young people find self-realization in embracing other activities rather than having children. For example, around 55% of pet owners explain that they feel more love and affection from their domestic animal rather than a child.

On the other hand, proponents of a conscientious self-emancipation from having offsprings often cite concerns about future world dynamics. The primary challenge faced by young people when considering having children is the capability of sustaining a high quality of life for their offspring. For instance, individuals in their 20s report increasing pressure from a higher cost of living and lower salaries as the main impediment for having a child. Moreover, future environmental conditions are a secondary problem that young people face regarding the decision for having children. A pertinent example from the Netherlands shows that most people in child-bearing age have anxiety regarding climate change and its impact in future generations, as well as threats of overpopulation in resources availability.

In conclusion, the problem of lower fertility is a multifaceted one, which stems from individualistic worldviews and a poor future prospect regarding environment and quality of life. Countries should focus resources in tackling these issues aiming to increase birth rates.