Why More Women Are Delaying Motherhood To Establish Their Careers
Millennial women are defining their own paths, both professionally and personally. Instead of choosing traditional routes of marriage and motherhood, millennials are choosing careers over carriages. The focus is on success first, and children may be, after.
Her Agenda has gathered some key findings and reasoning behind the decline in the current birth rate. If you’re curious about the effects workplace pressures have on making major life decisions, keep reading.
What Is The ‘Motherhood Penalty’?
Many factors come into play for women when it comes to motherhood, as she is the one sacrificing so much from her body, emotions, work, and more.
According to Jasmine Escalera, Zety’s Career Expert, America’s declining birthrate is more than just a cultural shift; it’s a direct consequence of the “motherhood penalty” and corporate culture.
Zety Data states that 87% of mothers say they have missed out on promotions and growth opportunities due to becoming a parent, and 90% had to alter their career path. This is also known as the motherhood penalty, as women rightfully take maternity leave, their spots are often temporarily filled or replaced by someone else. This leads women to feel as if bearing a child is not a primary factor while they are chasing their goals and dreams. Thus, the decline of childbirth and the rise of millennial entrepreneurs and successful businesswomen.
Millennial Women Are Choosing To Have Fewer Or No Kids At All
The ZetyData also revealed that 84% of mothers felt like their pregnancy was viewed as an inconvenience at work, and 77% actually feared telling their boss or coworkers that they were pregnant. Entering the “Pregnancy Postpone Effect.”
The “pregnancy postone effect” evaluates the mother’s belief that having a child is a setback or disadvantage. As a result, millennial women prefer to postpone having children until they are settled into their careers and solidified. Although job security and negative reactions are still a heightened fear for many women, according to Zeta Data.
Maternity Leave Expectations Are Shortening
The Zeta Data also highlights that 81% of mothers were asked to return to work early or adjust their maternity leave specifically for their employer’s benefit. The inconsiderate and unjust manner of the workplace can be brutal and selfish, prompting stress and anxiety at the worst time, during postpartum.
Ultimately, there aren’t many positive outcomes to having children if you’re looking to have an elevated career. Companies prioritize themselves and don’t allow mothers proper time to heal or bond with their babies.
According to Bonnie Marcus of Forbes, motherhood penalizes professional women in several ways. Not only does it negatively affect their income and leadership status, but it also influences their ability to get promoted and hired. They are often overlooked when it comes to career-advancing opportunities.
As a result, millennial career women are painting their paths in their 20s and 30s and choosing to have children or not in their late 30s or early 40s. This isn’t a negative note, as life’s essentials require more revenue, and stability comes with age and maturity.
Today’s Parent states that being an over-40 mom was considered unusual and even dangerous in the past, but today it’s more common and has fewer risks, thanks to medical advancements. A lot of parents wait to start a family once their careers are in focus, they’ve attained a certain level of financial stability, they’ve taken the time to find the right partner, or they’ve benefited from advancements in infertility treatments. Parenthood has become a personal choice based on circumstances, and not a deviation from a single “right” timeline.
