Exploring the trend of having children later in life, societal attitudes towards older parents, contrasting perceptions of older mothers and fathers, and childbirth at advanced ages in different cultures are discussed in this intriguing podcast.
Society's perception of older parents is evolving, with a shift towards more acceptance for older mothers.
Gender bias is evident in society, as older fathers receive praise while older mothers face discomfort and disapproval for having children later.
Deep dives
Trend of Older Mothers
Women today are increasingly delaying childbirth until their 40s and even 50s, 60s, or 70s due to reasons like pursuing education and careers. The trend towards older motherhood is notable, with the concept of geriatric mothers, a term previously used for mothers over 35, being viewed differently now. There is a shift in societal attitudes towards older mothers, although some disapproval still exists, especially in certain cultures.
Acceptance of Older Fathers vs. Mothers
Society appears more accepting of older fathers compared to older mothers when it comes to having children later in life. While men's fertility tends to last longer, women's natural ability to conceive decreases significantly after their 40s. There is a gender bias in society as older fathers are often praised for having children with much younger partners, unlike older mothers who may face discomfort and disapproval for giving birth at more advanced ages.
Men and women are having babies later in life. Why? And what does society think of older parents?
TRANSCRIPT
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