Recently, it is believed that young people tend to postpone parenthood more than in the past. In this essay, I will outline some causes of this issue and explain some valid reasons why I think this trend’s benefits outweigh its drawbacks.
Firstly, there are several compelling points when it comes to the causes of this problem. The most significant is increasing work commitment. To be more specific, people choose to delay childbirth, which can be a major distraction, in order to focus more on their own career goal and achieve greater financial stability before having children. Furthermore, the substantial expansion of urban areas, causing the escalating cost of living, also leads to late childbirth. Due to the higher prices of services, especially the accommodation and education costs, parenting is prohibitively expensive and out of reach for young couples.
Secondly, there is a controversy surrounding the positive and negative sides of this problem. A school of thought holds that the delay of childbearing, resulting in a lower birth rate and aging population, adversely affects national workforce and economy. However, I still subscribe to this trend because of some valid reasons. First, a stable financial foundation ensures children’s schooling and their well-rounded growth, which is hard for young parents bearing early without experiences but with economic uncertainty. Last but not least, by delaying parenthood, young people can spend time studying or travelling to broaden their horizons, achieve a higher level of competence and gain more practical knowledge, which plays an integral role in parenting later.
In conclusion, the rising work commitment and financial considerations are regarded to contribute to postponed childbearing. Although this trend can have a bearing on society, I still contend that this trend is beneficial for both parents and children.