One of the biggest differences between Gen Z and earlier generations is that having children no longer feels like an expectation. Society has become much more accepting of different lifestyles, and people are less likely to be judged for choosing to live child-free.

Women, in particular, now have better opportunities to pursue education and careers without the assumption that motherhood must necessarily follow.

Personally, I do want to have kids and start a family. However, I feel like I’m only going to be ready to do so at a point in my life when I am financially stable and satisfied with my career. And that goes for many other young people.

Reproductive health and contraception are discussed far more openly than they once were. Better sex education and easier access to birth control, particularly in Western countries, allow young people to make more deliberate decisions about whether and when to become parents.

 

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It also reduces the number of unwanted pregnancies. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), America’s federal government health agency, the unintended pregnancy rate in the US fell by 15% between 2010 and 2019.

And that’s actually a positive development. We all deserve to know how our bodies work and to be able to choose when and if to have children. Unwanted pregnancies can be a big challenge and treating reproductive health topics as ‘taboo’ does no good to anybody.

Of course, there are also some practical concerns that play a major role in whether to have children. The cost of raising a child has become increasingly expensive. Housing prices are rising, rent consumes a large share of people’s income, and stable employment can be really difficult to secure.

For us, a generation that’s already constantly worrying about financial independence, the idea of supporting a family can seem pretty overwhelming.

Gen Z has also grown up with a different understanding of adulthood. There is less pressure to settle down by a certain age, and young people put greater emphasis on education, career development and personal growth before marriage or parenthood. Many young people want the freedom to move between cities, change careers or simply focus on themselves without the long-term commitment that comes with raising kids.

However, it would be unfair to say that Gen Z no longer wants families. Many young people still dream of becoming parents. I have some friends, both male and female – even though they’re in a minority – who want kids and even a lot of them.

What has changed is the amount of thought that goes into that decision. Rather than simply following social expectations, many people have begun to ask themselves whether they are emotionally, financially and mentally prepared to take on this responsibility. Parenthood is now viewed as a choice rather than something everyone is expected to reach.

Social media has also influenced these attitudes. Although it often shows idealised family life, it has also given a platform for young people to share the challenges of parenting. Seeing this can be discouraging, but it also creates more realistic expectations about what parenthood involves.

Ultimately, Gen Z is approaching parenthood with more thought than before. The question is no longer whether everyone should have children, but whether having children is the right choice for each individual.