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Uppsala, Sweden – A recent study conducted by Uppsala University has revealed a significant shift in young women’s attitudes towards childbearing. Researchers found that a quarter of women surveyed are either unsure or do not desire to have children, a stark contrast to a decade ago when that figure was only one in ten. This change coincides with a decline in condom use and a generally high perception of consent during sexual activity.
The study, published in The European Journal of Contraception & Reproductive Health Care, analyzed survey responses from 596 women attending a gynecology clinic in Uppsala, with an average age of 24, predominantly students. The researchers discovered that only 75% of respondents expressed a desire for children, down from 91% in a similar 2014 survey.
“That one in four women do not want children or are unsure about wanting to have children—that’s a very high proportion,” stated Cerisa Obern, doctoral student and lead author. “We already know that the birth rate is declining, but we didn’t know whether this could be explained by other factors, such as fertility problems. Our study shows that it may be that some women simply do not want to have children, and that this in turn may be due to uncertainty about the future, as the world has become a less predictable place in recent years.”
Free-text responses from 40 women who did not want children were categorized into five main reasons: a general lack of desire to be a parent, health concerns, valuing personal freedom, economic constraints, and anxieties related to overpopulation and climate change.
The survey also explored sexual behavior, revealing that 63% of respondents reported being asked for consent before their most recent sexual encounter, while 98% perceived informed consent overall. However, researchers noted that 2% of respondents did not perceive consent, highlighting ongoing concerns.
Furthermore, the study highlighted a decline in condom use during first sexual intercourse, dropping from 71% in 2014 to 60% in 2023. This trend is concerning, given the rise in antibiotic-resistant sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
“Only 60% using condoms is not good,” Obern warned. “We would like to see people using both a condom and some form of hormonal contraceptive if they want to protect themselves against STIs and unwanted pregnancy.”
Professor Tanja Tydén, who initiated the survey series in 1989, attributed the decline in condom use to a decrease in public health information campaigns. She emphasized the importance of comprehensive sex education in schools and the role of parents and school nurses in promoting safe sexual practices.
“Before a person’s first sexual intercourse, it is important that schools provide good sex education. School nurses also have an important role to play, as well as parents, of course,” Tydén said.
The researchers hope that their findings will inform policymakers and contribute to a better understanding of evolving reproductive attitudes and behaviors.
Disclaimer: It is important to note that this study was conducted on a specific group of women in Sweden and may not be representative of all women globally. Social, cultural, and economic factors can significantly influence reproductive choices. Further research is needed to understand the broader implications of these findings.
