DeepSummary
The podcast discusses the trend of women having babies at an older age. The average age for a first-time mother has increased globally over the past few decades, with women in some countries choosing to have children in their 40s, 50s, and even 60s or 70s. Economic factors, longer education, and career goals are cited as reasons behind this shift.
While delaying motherhood allows women more opportunities for education and careers, it also raises concerns about declining fertility as women age. The episode explores options like egg freezing and egg donation that can help older women conceive. However, there are still potential health risks for older mothers.
The hosts and guests discuss the societal attitudes towards older mothers, as well as the potential consequences of this trend on population growth and the workforce. While some countries have tried financial incentives to boost birth rates, the experts suggest changing the narrative around motherhood to make it seem more positive and celebrated.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Women are increasingly choosing to have babies later in life due to economic factors, career goals, and longer education.
- Delaying motherhood raises concerns about declining fertility as women age, but options like egg freezing and egg donation can help older women conceive.
- There are potential health risks associated with older motherhood that need to be considered.
- Societal attitudes towards older mothers are shifting, with some stigma still remaining.
- The trend of older motherhood and declining birth rates could have economic consequences for countries due to an aging population and smaller workforce.
- Financial incentives from governments have had limited success in boosting birth rates, and changing the narrative around motherhood could be more effective.
- Women should have the choice to decide if and when to have children, and not face pressure or stigma for their decisions.
- The later age of motherhood is a complex issue with social, economic, and cultural factors at play.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “Our fertility does decline. Unfortunately, female fertility decline is a very real event.“ by Joyce Harper
- “I think one of the important thing here and everything about fertility is to do with choice, or should be to do with choice.“ by Stephanie Hegerty
- “I think we need to change the narrative. I think we need to change the narrative that actually having kids is fabulous. And almost everyone that you ask will say it's the most important thing they've done in their life, and it's fun, and it's not the end of your young life, but we've got to change that.“ by Joyce Harper
- “There are health risks as well we can discuss, but certainly it's really our fertility is down to the age of the egg and the quality.“ by Joyce Harper
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Episode Information
The Global Story
BBC World Service
2/27/24
In countries across the world women are deciding to delay motherhood. Increased access to education, more career opportunities and less financial stability means that more and more women are having children later in life. But fewer babies now, could mean more economic pressures on the rest of us in the future. We explore this complex topic with the BBC's population correspondent Stephanie Hegarty and Joyce Harper, professor of reproductive science at University College London.
The Global Story brings trusted insights from BBC experts around the world, with Katya Adler. We need you to help us understand and tell The Global Story. Email ideas and thoughts to theglobalstory@bbc.com. You can also message or leave a voice note on WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480.
Today’s podcast was made by Alice Aylett Roberts, Beth Timmins and Miriam Quayyum. The technical producers were Mike Regaard and Hannah Montgomery. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.