Why Being Childfree Still Sparks Controversy in 2024
Why is being childfree still so controversial?
From ”childless cat ladies” as an intended insult to parents trying to convince childfree people that their decision is invalid—what is the deal?
Parents are stressed, and childfree folks are not at all surprised. Earlier this year, the Surgeon General released a report, “Parents Under Pressure: The U.S. Surgeon General Advisory on the Mental Health and Well-Being of Parents.”
Labeling parenting as an “urgent public health” matter, the report presented the realities of parenting in 2024:
📈41% of parents reporting being so stressed they can’t function on most days
📈74% cite school violence as a major stressor
📈1 in 4 parents can’t support their family’s basic needs
The numbers are striking. Maybe even validating for some parents. Yet despite these realities, childfree people are STILL getting hate for their decision to live life differently.
Read the full analysis on my Substack on why being childfree continues to threaten the status quo
[ADDITIONAL SOURCES: APA (2024) Stress in America - Infographic: Stress of parents compared to other adults; Gallup (2023) School parent safety concerns remain high in the U.S.]