Low Fertility in US Citizens
The report "Births to Immigrants in America: 1970 – 2002" by the Center for Immigration Studies state that in 2002, 23% of US births were to immigrant mothers. 10% of US births were to illegal immigrant mothers.
The problem with this is that the babies get automatic US citizenship that can be used to prevent deportation of their parents if they are here illegally. An "anchor" baby of any immigrant can sponsor his/her parents and other relatives for permanent residence. Immigration has been seen as a way to increase the number of younger workers to shore up social security. However, that idea breaks down when those immigrants or their children sponsor older immigrants. Martin Walker wrote in "Walker’s World: Nightmare of social Europe," that immigration was supposed to be part of Europe’s "solution to the demographic disaster" but many young workers bring their parents and marry women from their countries of origin who bring their parents. Walker wrote, "The result is that in Belgium, for example, more than half the immigrants over the age of 40 are unemployed and dependent on social security payments."
A better solution to our problem of an aging population would be to increase the number of children born to US citizens. First we should consider the reasons why it is low. Few people don’t want children. Low fertility is a bigger problem.
According to the CDC, 6.1 million women between the ages of 15 and 44 have impaired fertility. The April 12, 1984 issue of MMWR states, "In 1982, one in eight US couples were classified as infertile." According to British fertility expert Bill Ledger of Sheffield University, one in seven British couples have trouble conceiving. He predicts that will increase to one in three. Ledger attributes declining fertility to obesity, STDs and waiting to long to start a family. We have the same problems here.
Overweight women do not ovulate as efficiently as those of normal weight. The CDC classifies 65% of Americans as overweight or obese. Women who wish to conceive should try to attain a healthy weight to improve their chances.
In 2003, the CDC estimated that 19 million STD infections occur annually and almost 50% will be in those between 15 and 24 years of age. Gonorrhea and chlamydia can cause pelvic inflammatory disease, (PID). PID can cause blocked fallopian tubes resulting in infertility. In males, untreated gonorrhea can cause the testicular inflammation. Epididymitis, that can lead to infertility. Abortion may also lead to infertility. According to the Concerned Women for America website, "Studies have found that 3 to 5 percent of all women who have had abortions are left sterile."
The incidence of STDs and abortions is not likely to decrease until our culture changes. Currently, many view having multiple sex partners rather than being in committed relationships not only acceptable, but as the norm. Some push for increased education about condoms, but condoms are not 100% effective in the prevention of disease. They are not effective at all if they are not used. According to the Chicago Sun-Times article "Girls just as bad as boys" by Lori Rackl and Andrew Herrmann, college women who want sex outside of committed relationships often believe that if they get drunk and don’t carry condoms, they won’t be seen as sluts. They are not only sluts, but also irresponsible. The same is true of the men who "hook-up" and don’t use protection. In addition to spreading STDs, it seems that those who have transient encounters with multiple partners fail to learn the skills needed for lasting, committed relationships. They not only risk infertility due to infections, but risk never being able to relate to anyone well enough to get married and start a family.
Another major cause of infertility is delaying reproduction. In 1970, the median age of women marrying for the first time was 20.8 years. In 2003, it was 25.3. Women are most fertile in their late teens and early twenties. Fertility greatly decreases around age 35.
One problem seems to be that, after marriage, couples often wait until they have a large amount of money and possessions to have children. Not a bad idea, but fertility drops the longer one waits. My parents’ generation had children while renting apartments. Now couples wait until they own homes. Families also feel they need far more money to rear children than they used to. Previous generations of kids thrived without $300.00 birthday parties, lessons in every activity that exists or $100.00 sneakers, (children can survive in shoes from Walmart).
A big reason women delay starting families is the emphasis on careers. Many critics of women see pursuit of a career as "me-ism" or "having it all." It was not like that for many of us: Family and social pressure pushed young women onto the career path. Many women say our society seems to perceive women who don’t have careers are "losers" who have no skills. My parents and teachers emphasized college and career for my future. I was afraid to admit I wanted to be a housewife. I pursued a career to please others. That isn’t "me-ism." Younger women seem to have caught on. According to Maxine Frith’s article, "Desperate to be housewives: young women yearn for 1950’s role as stay-at-home mums," the average 29 year old wants the traditional homemaker mom role. Women are realizing that "having it all" just means doing it all and taking the risk if foregoing the things that really matter.
Copyright Eva Ellsworth, 07/10/05, all rights reserved
The problem with this is that the babies get automatic US citizenship that can be used to prevent deportation of their parents if they are here illegally. An "anchor" baby of any immigrant can sponsor his/her parents and other relatives for permanent residence. Immigration has been seen as a way to increase the number of younger workers to shore up social security. However, that idea breaks down when those immigrants or their children sponsor older immigrants. Martin Walker wrote in "Walker’s World: Nightmare of social Europe," that immigration was supposed to be part of Europe’s "solution to the demographic disaster" but many young workers bring their parents and marry women from their countries of origin who bring their parents. Walker wrote, "The result is that in Belgium, for example, more than half the immigrants over the age of 40 are unemployed and dependent on social security payments."
A better solution to our problem of an aging population would be to increase the number of children born to US citizens. First we should consider the reasons why it is low. Few people don’t want children. Low fertility is a bigger problem.
According to the CDC, 6.1 million women between the ages of 15 and 44 have impaired fertility. The April 12, 1984 issue of MMWR states, "In 1982, one in eight US couples were classified as infertile." According to British fertility expert Bill Ledger of Sheffield University, one in seven British couples have trouble conceiving. He predicts that will increase to one in three. Ledger attributes declining fertility to obesity, STDs and waiting to long to start a family. We have the same problems here.
Overweight women do not ovulate as efficiently as those of normal weight. The CDC classifies 65% of Americans as overweight or obese. Women who wish to conceive should try to attain a healthy weight to improve their chances.
In 2003, the CDC estimated that 19 million STD infections occur annually and almost 50% will be in those between 15 and 24 years of age. Gonorrhea and chlamydia can cause pelvic inflammatory disease, (PID). PID can cause blocked fallopian tubes resulting in infertility. In males, untreated gonorrhea can cause the testicular inflammation. Epididymitis, that can lead to infertility. Abortion may also lead to infertility. According to the Concerned Women for America website, "Studies have found that 3 to 5 percent of all women who have had abortions are left sterile."
The incidence of STDs and abortions is not likely to decrease until our culture changes. Currently, many view having multiple sex partners rather than being in committed relationships not only acceptable, but as the norm. Some push for increased education about condoms, but condoms are not 100% effective in the prevention of disease. They are not effective at all if they are not used. According to the Chicago Sun-Times article "Girls just as bad as boys" by Lori Rackl and Andrew Herrmann, college women who want sex outside of committed relationships often believe that if they get drunk and don’t carry condoms, they won’t be seen as sluts. They are not only sluts, but also irresponsible. The same is true of the men who "hook-up" and don’t use protection. In addition to spreading STDs, it seems that those who have transient encounters with multiple partners fail to learn the skills needed for lasting, committed relationships. They not only risk infertility due to infections, but risk never being able to relate to anyone well enough to get married and start a family.
Another major cause of infertility is delaying reproduction. In 1970, the median age of women marrying for the first time was 20.8 years. In 2003, it was 25.3. Women are most fertile in their late teens and early twenties. Fertility greatly decreases around age 35.
One problem seems to be that, after marriage, couples often wait until they have a large amount of money and possessions to have children. Not a bad idea, but fertility drops the longer one waits. My parents’ generation had children while renting apartments. Now couples wait until they own homes. Families also feel they need far more money to rear children than they used to. Previous generations of kids thrived without $300.00 birthday parties, lessons in every activity that exists or $100.00 sneakers, (children can survive in shoes from Walmart).
A big reason women delay starting families is the emphasis on careers. Many critics of women see pursuit of a career as "me-ism" or "having it all." It was not like that for many of us: Family and social pressure pushed young women onto the career path. Many women say our society seems to perceive women who don’t have careers are "losers" who have no skills. My parents and teachers emphasized college and career for my future. I was afraid to admit I wanted to be a housewife. I pursued a career to please others. That isn’t "me-ism." Younger women seem to have caught on. According to Maxine Frith’s article, "Desperate to be housewives: young women yearn for 1950’s role as stay-at-home mums," the average 29 year old wants the traditional homemaker mom role. Women are realizing that "having it all" just means doing it all and taking the risk if foregoing the things that really matter.
Copyright Eva Ellsworth, 07/10/05, all rights reserved
3 Comments:
The April 12, 1984 issue of MMWR states, "In 1982, one in eight US couples were classified as infertile."
According to the Concerned Women for America website, "Studies have found that 3 to 5 percent of all women who have had abortions are left sterile."
I find these stats interesting, how did the women know what made them sterile?
Overweight women do not ovulate as efficiently as those of normal weight.
And underwight women may not ovulate at all? Why are you only picking on the overweight group? Women who smoke are also less likley to get pregnant.
One problem seems to be that, after marriage, couples often wait until they have a large amount of money and possessions to have children.
Consitering money ( or the lack there of ) is the #1 divorce issue, why are you attacking couples who want a firm finanical footing before taking the plunge into breeding? We should be pushing for laws that are more family oriented like ( OMG ) Europe ( those damm dirty socialists ).
A big reason women delay starting families is the emphasis on careers.
Yep, they should be barefoot and pregnant all the time. Might I remind you that the cost of living has skyrocketed and it takes more than one income in most of the country to raise a family. I will remind you that there are two members of a marraige. Men should be chastized just as much for wanting a career as women. They could stay home and raise the family in an ever equal world.
This post seems to stech the limits of the imagination to prove a point. I would stick to facts you can prove and a goal you can hope to achive. To encourage chidren you could make the world a better place for long term commited relationships and marriages would be a start, financial backing for young couples as well as families would be a big step, and many more socialist ideas would also help but we all know that will never happen.
Poor comeback. Can you spell anonymous?
The 'custody wars' instigated by men over the last decade or so, are another reason (rarely mentioned) for women to delay having children until they are financially secure...
After all in a world where the divorce rate for first marriages hovers at around 50% and a custody fight after divorce can run anywhere from $50,000 to $250,000, is it any wonder that women want to be able to build up that sort of 'warchest' BEFORE having kids...
...just like men want to be secure before having kids, now so do women...
Same thing...
Post a Comment
<< Home