logo
episode-header-image
May 2022
41m 57s

98. Is Having Children Worth It?

Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher
About this episode

Why have fertility rates dropped so dramatically? Do fathers or mothers get more happiness from parenting? And how does birth order affect a child’s future?

Up next
Jul 6
29. How Do You Know When It’s Time to Quit?
Also: why is it so hard to predict success? This episode originally aired on November 29, 2020. 
31m 43s
Jun 29
28. Why Do We Hoard?
Also: do you spend more time thinking about the past, the present, or the future? This episode originally aired on November 22, 2020. 
29m 14s
Jun 22
27. How Should You Ask for Forgiveness?
Also: why is behavior change so darn hard? This episode originally aired on November 15, 2020. 
37m 45s
Recommended Episodes
Feb 2024
Are we less fertile than before?
According to the British Fertility Society, between 9% and 15% of couples will encounter fertility problems, while Fertility Network UK says that “over 3.5 million people in the UK go through some kind of fertility challenge.”Interestingly, the total fertility rate in England and ... Show More
4m 4s
Aug 2013
Why is it harder to get pregnant after 35?
Women are waiting longer to have children, but when does fertility take a nosedive? Caroline and Cristen explore the science of female fertility and why 35 isn't necessarily the beginning of the end for natural conception. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpod ... Show More
33m 40s
Sep 2021
Childlessness: How to Decide if Motherhood Is for You
American fertility rates continue to be at record lows as women increasingly opt out of bearing children. However, that doesn’t mean the social pressure to have a family has declined at the same rate. Savvy Psychologist explores the main reasons behind the choice to be childfree, ... Show More
13m 6s
Oct 2023
Why Does Everyone Hate Kids?
When did you know you wanted kids? Some of us are still waiting for that moment, and that’s okay. After reading a recent article about how friendships are affected when a child is introduced, Gwenna and Tori wanted to open a conversation about how society's mindset towards childr ... Show More
43m 19s
Jun 2021
The Societal Taboos of Child-Free Lives, Parental Regret and Eschewing Motherhood
A growing number of adults are choosing to not become parents, a lifestyle described as “child-free.” Yet many people, especially women, say they feel judged by their families, friends — and even their own doctors — when they vocalize not wanting children. By the same token, some ... Show More
55m 44s
Mar 2022
Tout ce que l'on ne vous a pas dit sur la parentalité
Dans cet épisode, deux femmes féministes, engagées et autrices, Renée Greusard et Judith Aquien, évoquent avec moi les tabous autour de la maternité et de la parentalité. De nombreux parents sont surpris de ne pas avoir été informés, de ne pas savoir ce à quoi ils vont être confr ... Show More
1h 12m
May 2019
The case for having kids | Wajahat Ali
The global fertility rate, or the number of children per woman, has halved over the last 50 years. What will having fewer babies mean for the future of humanity? In this funny, eye-opening talk, journalist (and self-described exhausted dad) Wajahat Ali examines how the current tr ... Show More
12m 7s
May 2020
the future
Most people want to get married and have kids some day because… it’s what you’re “supposed” to do… but is that right for everyone? Emma dives deep on it, from getting married, to divorce, to having kids and everything in between. What are the impending challenges of finding someo ... Show More
50m 58s
Mar 2023
La grand-maternité
Dans cet épisode, Chantal Birman, sage-femme, féministe, a souhaité évoquer la grand-maternité et ses enjeux. Quand un bébé né, une mère née ainsi qu’une grand-mère. Une naissance bouleverse l’ordre des générations. Que se passe-t-il pour la femme qui devient grand-mère et est re ... Show More
58m 32s
Nov 2020
Why Don't We Have Children Yet?
How many times have married couples faced the question – why don’t you have a child yet? Or why are you stopping at only one? Or don’t you want a boy? Such questions take a serious toll on us and the marriage too, mentally and emotionally. So how do you handle yourself and your l ... Show More
10m 10s