WINNING: New Study Finds Liberals Skipping Parenthood Over Mental Health Worries While Conservatives Build Families

A report from the Institute for Family Studies indicates a widening ideological gap in American fertility rates, with conservatives having more children on average than liberals. Liberals are more likely to cite mental health concerns, genetic worries, and parenting stress as reasons for not having children. The study suggests these differing attitudes toward parenting are leading to demographic outcomes that could influence the country’s future.

• Conservatives average 1.4 children, while liberals average 1.09 children.
• 51% of liberals have no children, compared to 40% of conservatives.
• Liberals are more likely to cite mental health, bad genetics, and parenting stress as reasons for not having children.
• Liberals are more likely to perceive parenting as complicated, difficult, and stressful.
• Conservatives prefer an ideal family size of 2.71 children, moderates 2.43, and liberals 2.16.
• The partisan fertility gap has widened since 1994.