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Given the options, as some women are not,
it is evident that a lot of women choose the business and industrial career over the at-home mother career, and birth-control makes that choice possible. I wonder what Roman women were choosing, and why? It was very rarely public careers, I imagine.
Thanks for your response, Naut, it is in no way, inadequate. And it gets me thinking further...
posted by
Ciel
on May 11, 2012 at 10:10 AM
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I think you make a good point on social trends! My daughter's friends from high school are having babies and she is still single. I think she thinks more about having a family due to their influence but she still holds fast to her goals and right now that does not include marriage or children! sam 
posted by
sam444
on May 8, 2012 at 4:41 AM
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Interesting Naut perhaps we need more rabbits than hares.
posted by
C_C_T
on May 8, 2012 at 12:34 AM
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I remember discussing this in one of my Sociology classes in college. What you said in your post and the comments posted were the reasons discussed.
posted by
FormerStudentIntern
on May 7, 2012 at 8:59 PM
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And then...
There are women like myself who are unable to have children. I am blessed because there was a bigger plan and I was given Pam, who has been the joy and the love of my life.
I think it should be a choice. I personally am not nurturing enough nor tolerant enough for many children. Two about drove me off the deep end when we had both children and when all three of the kids were together, I truly wondered why I didn't drink more often.
I can't imagine my life without being Pam's mom. It's my greatest gift in life and at the end of the day when nothing else matters; she does.
Not sure when I am going with this, just my rambling thoughts. I think we should do what FEELS right for each of us and not what society suggests.
posted by
Bel_Marshall
on May 7, 2012 at 8:46 PM
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Ok, so I have been properly reprimanded for not getting excited about the last post. From now on I will be good and behave in a proper manner. 
posted by
TAPS.
on May 7, 2012 at 8:17 PM
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I think it’s a very logical and real “answer”. Careers, money, consumerism, etc. has become a bigger priority (for some) than building a family.
posted by
Troosha
on May 7, 2012 at 7:45 PM
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the old saying holds true, while the rich get richer the poor have babies.
posted by
Kabu
on May 7, 2012 at 7:15 PM
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Nautikos
Well with 5 kids and 6 step-kids I contributed to my share on this planet old chap.
posted by
WileyJohn
on May 7, 2012 at 7:11 PM
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I feel there are so many factors that come into play here. Times are so different now. 55 years ago, I worked, had children and went to college all at the same time, it took what I thought was forever but certainly wasn't. I went to college because I thought I should. I worked because my husband at that time wanted me not to have children, but wanted me to work not in a 'career' but in a job no threat to him but more income. I wanted six children. It also comes from differences in Christianity those in Catholic communities tended to have more, but I was an only child in a time when no such existed often. Fewer children per family has been on the rise for some time: First the birth control pills freed women to work. Then abortion was accepted for them not to have children they did not want. The acceptance of the gay communities coming Out gave many authority not to marry and have children to belong. All this I think figures into there being fewer children. Sorry so long winded.
posted by
Justi
on May 7, 2012 at 6:38 PM
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Lower fertility rates may also be a facet of womankind's push for equality.
There was a joke among some feminists I know that in the ideal society, the husband would bear every other child. As a consequence no family would have more than two. So as women take on the responsibilities that, since the industrial age began, had been men's, traditional "women's work" except for child-bearing, comes under the man's job description. It's been my experience having a child is not the hardest part -- raising them through puberty and letting them go out into the world is.
posted by
Pat_B
on May 7, 2012 at 12:14 PM
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