Re: The Birthrate Is Plunging. Why Some Say That’s a Good Thing.

The New York Times published an article about the fact that low birthrates reflect women having more choices. We sent a letter in response, which wasn’t published, so we are featuring it here.

We encourage all our members and supporters to make their voices heard! See our media guide for advice on how to do that.

Re: The Birthrate Is Plunging. Why Some Say That’s a Good Thing. (February 27, 2026)

Thanks to Sabrina Tavernise and Jeff Adelson for shining a light on the widely neglected and inarguably positive driver behind fertility decline: Women are finally free to make their own informed and thoughtful childbearing decisions.

Mainstream media is awash with panic over the low US birthrate and discussions on how to increase it, but very few people actually ask women what they want and what’s holding them back.

Delaying motherhood and having fewer babies clearly brings significant benefits to mothers and children. These family-level benefits translate into higher welfare and productivity for entire societies. Instead of bemoaning lower birthrates in the US and in countries around the world, we should celebrate women’s hard-won ability to determine for themselves whether, when, and with whom to get pregnant. Everyone benefits when women have more choices.

Sincerely,

Olivia Nater
Communications Manager
Population Connection