In Pursuit: Marriage, Motherhood, and Women’s Well-Being

From American Enterprise Institute/Institute for Family Studies:

Marriage and fertility rates have reached all-time lows in the U.S. in recent years, as fewer people marry or have children. These trends are likely to continue in the future. In 2023, only 72% of 18-year-old women in the U.S. said they were likely to have children, down from 85% in the late 2000s.¹

Though there are likely many reasons for the declines in marriage and childbearing, one possible factor is the way marriage and parenthood, particularly for women, are portrayed in the media and in online discussions. Popular press articles often declare that single women without children are happier than married mothers, with headlines such as: “Women are happier without children or a spouse, says happiness expert,” or “4 reasons why single women are the happiest people on Earth—by a psychologist,” and “Why so many single women without children are happy.” Discussions on online forums such as Reddit ask, “Why do you think that single unmarried women without children are happier than married women with children?” 

These headlines are consistent with older survey data suggesting parents are less happy than non-parents, especially in the United States.² They are also consistent with studies finding that parenthood is more positive for men than for women.³ However, parenthood may increase other aspects of well-being, especially finding meaning in life.⁴

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