Blog » Young Women Face Tough Choices

A new survey¹ has confirmed the dilemma women face, over when to have kids. This has prompted relationships expert Anne Hollonds to urge women, especially younger ones, to plan ahead, take action to address relationship problems and build a strong partnership if they want to have children.

A national Contraception, Relationships and Sexuality survey of 1,000 women and men, commissioned by pharmaceutical company Schering-Plough with assistance from Relationships Australia (NSW), was completed end July 2009. The survey provides valuable insights into what people do when it comes to contraception, children, relationships and fertility, with a focus on women.

“This survey highlights the trade offs – and sacrifices – women make to fit having children in their lives,” said Anne Hollonds, CEO of Relationships Australia (NSW).

While more than three quarters (76%) of all women surveyed without children plan to have kids, just 16% are thinking about having kids now and two thirds (63%) plan to have kids sometime in the future. Almost two thirds (62%) of Gen Y women, those aged 18 – 29, say they will delay having kids now as they are concerned about the cost.

Other key factors delaying this age group from having kids now are work, loss of freedom and true love: almost half (49%) say their career is more important; one third are concerned about losing their freedom; while nearly one third (29%) say they haven’t found their “right partner”.

Their Gen X counterparts, those aged 30 to 39, share similar concerns. More than half (54%) say they haven’t found their “right partner”, half are concerned about the cost of kids, and almost one quarter (24%) are concerned about loss of freedom – factors making them delay having kids now. Only 17% of this age group says their career is more important than having kids now.

“For women, the key factors affecting their decision to have children are financial stability, career, loss of freedom and finding the right partner. This survey highlights how tough this decision can be, especially at this time when many young couples are worried about money and job security,” said Ms Hollonds.

“We have a lot more choices today and for many young women having babies is understandably not the key priority. But if women are thinking they may want to have kids in future, it’s important to plan ahead.

“If you’re not sure about the quality of your relationship, don’t leave it to chance. Get some coaching now on how you can work together and make your partnership strong. Gambling on your relationship may lead to regret over years being wasted on a relationship going nowhere,” she said.

Ms Hollonds added that women also need to be aware that fertility declines from around their mid-thirties² and this factor should be considered as and when they plan ahead.

“It’s interesting to note in the survey data that despite a decline in the numbers of women expressing a desire for having children as they get older, nearly three quarters (71%) of those aged 30 – 39 are still saying they want kids in future,” said Ms Hollonds.

Almost a quarter (24%) of all women surveyed who do not have children, say they are not planning on having children.

For more information on Relationships Australia and help for your relationships, visit www.relationships.com.au For more information on how to match contraception to suit your lifestyle choices, women can visit their GP and www.whatcontraceptiveareyou.com.au.

1. Contraception, Relationships and Sexuality survey: July 2009. Based on a self completion survey of 1,000 women and men nationally aged between 18 and 45 years, compiled by independent researcher StollzNow Research.

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