The Global Story
Are you ever too old to have a baby?
Dec 25, 2024
Stephanie Hegarty, BBC's population correspondent, and Joyce Harper, a reproductive science expert from University College London, dive into the complexities of delayed motherhood. They discuss the rising trend of women choosing to have children later and the cultural pressures around this choice. Personal stories illuminate the scrutiny older mothers face, while Joyce highlights fertility challenges after 35. The conversation also touches on UK youth's anxieties regarding parenthood and explores emotional struggles linked to family planning decisions.
24:52
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Quick takeaways
- The trend of older motherhood, driven by factors like education and career priorities, reflects changing societal norms around family planning.
- Delaying childbirth poses potential economic challenges due to population aging, requiring innovative solutions to sustain workforce levels in the future.
Deep dives
Rising Age of Motherhood
Women worldwide are increasingly having children later in life, with notable shifts in demographics revealing that many mothers are now in their 40s and even 50s. This trend is partly attributed to advancements in reproductive technologies like IVF and egg donation, which have made it possible for older women to conceive. For instance, recent data from the UK shows a significant rise in births among women over 40, reflecting changing societal norms surrounding motherhood and age. Additionally, personal anecdotes from mothers highlight the emotional aspirations connected to raising children at an older age, emphasizing that age does not diminish the joy and excitement of motherhood.
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