Introduction
Naturally parenting is with us as long as humans exist. However, in current times we notice changes, which we have not seen before. Let’s discuss some of these issues in our meeting. Here a short, incomplete introduction to the topic.
Birth Rate Decline
Australia's birth rate has dropped to a record low, with the fertility rate falling to 1.48 babies per woman in 2024, down from 1.5 in 2023. In order to stabilise our population, we would need a birth rate of 2.1 or more children per woman. The situation is similar in countries which are comparable to Australia. Central European countries show comparable or even lower numbers.
Age of fist-time mothers
The median age of first-time parents has increased at the same time. Mothers are now on average 32 years old when receiving their first child, whilst the age of fathers is close to 34 years. This fact alone will push many women out of the child rearing age range; they simply have less opportunity to become pregnant and with this have children.
Smaller families
While two children remain the most common, there is a rise in one-child families and a significant increase in people having no children.
These statistics indicate a decline in interest or opportunity to become a parent. We may want to discuss why this is so.
Possible drivers of the decline
Economic Pressure: High housing costs and general cost-of-living pressures are significant factors for young Australians delaying or foregoing children.
Career and Education: Increased workforce participation for women and longer time spent in education have pushed back the age of childbearing.
Biological Realities: Starting families later in life reduces the window for having children, limiting family size.
Instability of marriages and relationships, as noticeable in high divorce rates.
Implications of the birth rate decline
Whilst this issue is not new - the fertility rate has not been above the replacement rate of 2.1 since 1975 - it certainly has implications for the Australian people and its population structure. The decline means Australia may have many more deaths than births in the near future. Currently, to maintain population growth or stability, Australia is heavily reliant on immigration.
Economic concerns exist regarding a shrinking workforce and higher dependency ratios (e.g. retirees, people not or not yet in the workforce etc.).
Single parenting & divorced homes
Approximately 18% of Australian children aged 0–14 years live in one-parent families. One in four Australian children will experience parental divorce or separation before age 18. Around 50,000 to 60,000 children in Australia experience their parents separating annually.
The rise of ADHD and other mental health conditions (e.g. Autism, Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), or Conduct Disorder (CD)
We have seen an unprecedented increase in mental health conditions in children in the past decades. ADHD diagnosis and treatment rates in Australia have increased 11-fold in the past 20 years since 2004.
We can observe similar statistics for Autism, which has increased dramatically by 340% in recent 13 years and has increased 4-fold (400%) over the last 20 years.
Clinical data show that around 12% of children experience internalising problems (anxiety, depression), and a similar proportion experience externalising problem, such as aggression and hyperactivity.
Whilst the medical sector argues that these are appropriate numbers and that lower statistics earlier in our past would have overlooked these mental health issues, we may want to discuss why this excessive numbers of mentally suffering children exist in a country with high levels of prosperity, health care, and an extensive child supporting culture where “gentle” parenting and child raising strategies are the predominant preference.
Institutionalised Child Care
As of September 2024, 846,000 children (50.4%) aged 0-5 years used approved childcare. Average weekly usage was 27.9 hours per child. The Preschool Attendance in 2024 amounted to 70% of children which had an estimated annual attendance of 600 hours or more.
It can be said, that institutionalised childcare has become a common practice in Australia, and we may want to discuss which consequences, good or bad, this has on our children. Who is actually raising our children?
Potential discussion points & questions
What has changed in parenting?
Why are there less parents and less children?
Women in the workforce, pros & cons
The social standing of mothers and “home makers”
Divorced families and single parenting
Who is responsible for our children?
Is the institutionalised upbringing of our children harmful or positive?
What roles do schools have to play?
Expectation pressure on parents and children
Children’s rights and responsibilities
Child behaviour – problems and difficulties
What is specifically problematic in rural Australia (e.g. boarding schooling, less facilities and organisations etc)
