The New York Times addressed the current birthrate decline in the United States. In an article entitled, “Why American Women Everywhere Are Delaying Motherhood,” the authors peruse the landscape of the American scenery and conclude that the prioritization of careers and education have caused women to delay having children well into their 30’s. In fact, the pattern has become quite acceptable and the reason for enormous jubilation among the feminist elites.
America is now experiencing its slowest growth among the population since the 1930s. The traditional route of having children early on has now been quickly substituted for children in the 30s, which inevitably diminishes the opportunities for larger families (the birthrate in America is 0.8%). These are not barren women, but physically capable females who could decide to bear children but decline to do so.
As the NYT observes, the American women find themselves desiring the incentives of careers rather than the incessant needs of little children. They have traded the classic model of womanhood accepted in much of Christendom and classic Western history for the trailblazing academic and career pursuits. Thus, by the time their 30’s arrive, they are psychologically fulfilled and ready to bring children into a world of financial stability and happiness–or at least that’s the theory. The theory is summarized further by a demographer who notes, “Maybe there are fewer babies right now, but people are able to live the lives they want to, and that’s a profound thing.” And another who summarized the sentiment: “I want to know who I am first before having kids,” she said.
This identity crisis is a result of the professionalization industry which treats the priority of the home for the woman (Titus 2:5) as a dismissal of logic. The concept of woman as a beautifier of the home is a strange artifact in the ever-so-modern library of humanity. What we are witnessing in our day is the reversal of categorical trends established in history for new ways of contemplating the woman’s role in society.
It is also worth observing that this quest for “knowing who you are” contradicts basic sociology. Young couples often understand themselves at an entirely new depth when children enter the world. It is true that we may discover the hideous fact that we are self-absorbed beings, but we too may also find that we have the gift of self-giving in a way that never would have been manifested prior to children. We may even say that identities are built in the presence of diapers and sleepless nights. But instead, many women will have to convince themselves that their identities come only through well-furnished apartments and other pre-requisites. And who determines when enough is enough? Ultimately, this is a quest of self-deception for no woman can truly be happy outside their God-giving humanity.
Indeed, the reality of God’s imperative cannot be overturned no matter how much the modern woman seeks to find solace in her childlessness or even in the significant delay to motherhood. She cannot undo “be fruitful and multiply” for “be yourself and simplify.”
Such philosophies cannot succeed long-term. Women under such spell will find themselves utterly dissatisfied when their 30’s are passed. They have changed the benedictions and flatteries of bosses for the gentle and tender affirmation of their Lord and Master.
