A new study sheds light on how young adults in the U.S. are thinking about family-building in the face of infertility. With infertility affecting around 8.5% of married women, little is known about how younger generations are preparing for potential challenges related to parenthood. The study, conducted among college students, explores their childbearing intentions, openness to non-traditional family-building methods, and understanding of the financial costs involved.
The research focused on undergraduate students, with an average age of 20, from a public university in the Midwest. Most participants had not yet attempted to conceive. The survey gathered data on their awareness of fertility issues, their preferences for building a family in case of infertility, and their cost estimates for various non-traditional family-building options.
Key Findings
The study revealed that 86% of participants expressed a desire to have biological children, with an average intended family size of 2.3 children. When asked about alternatives to biological parenthood, private domestic adoption was the most popular option, chosen by 58.3% of participants. This was followed by public adoption at 53.0%, and in vitro fertilization (IVF) at 42.2%. Surrogacy using donor gametes was the least preferred option, with only 9.7% expressing interest.
However, the study also found that participants had limited awareness of the costs involved in these alternatives. For instance, only 16.7% of estimates for domestic adoption and 48% for international adoption were within 75-125% of the actual cost ranges.
Gender Differences
The study also highlighted differences between men and women in terms of their openness to alternative family-building methods and their understanding of costs. Women were generally more open to non-traditional options and had more accurate perceptions of the associated costs. On the other hand, men reported feeling more confident about their reproductive planning, despite their limited awareness of the financial aspects.
Conclusion
The study underscores the need for better education on fertility issues, especially regarding the costs of non-traditional family-building options. Increasing young adults’ fertility literacy and financial preparedness could help them make more informed and realistic decisions about their future family plans.
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