Having children today is an act of immense commitment, one that only individuals with a truly victorious spirit can undertake—a luxury that has become unattainable for most people.
The Dilemma of Parenthood for Young People
In no conceivable balance of emotional accounting does it seem reasonable to bring a new life into a ruthless market economy. Every day, news headlines depict how a staggering majority of young people “selfishly” decide not to have children—a decision, they warn, that could lead society into a demographic crisis. But perhaps the question should be reframed: What motivates some people to start families in a world that often seems to be falling apart, with climate change and recurring wars plaguing half the planet?
The answer may lie in one word: hope.
Within many individuals, there is a spark of incredible optimism—a belief that future generations might uncover answers we have overlooked. When a single mother embarks on a fertility treatment journey, she does so with all her heart, driven by a profound need to look forward, mirroring the resilience of life itself.
The Emotional and Economic Reality
For most young people today, the idea of parenthood is daunting. Bringing a child into the world feels impossible in the face of precarious living conditions and a relentless market economy. Despite this, some persevere. They dream of creating a secure future, even when achieving such a goal appears out of reach.
Unlike previous generations, who looked forward to the future with optimism, today’s young people—no matter how naive—cannot say the same. Becoming a parent now requires a level of dedication and sacrifice that borders on heroic. These everyday heroes rarely receive the recognition they deserve, overshadowed by the glorified figures celebrated in media stories.
But instead of blaming individuals, society must ask itself why it fails to genuinely support those striving to start families. Temporary bureaucratic solutions do little to address the fundamental issues, leaving everything unchanged.
The Role of Economics in Delaying Parenthood
The economic landscape is a critical factor delaying parenthood. Why has something as essential as housing turned into an inaccessible commodity? How can people create families without a physical space to call their own? Society risks collapsing under the weight of its indifference to the needs of aspiring parents.
Claiming that “it’s just the market” or that “life has always been hard” oversimplifies the issue. The harsh reality is that for many young people, the decision to postpone parenthood is a direct response to an unsustainable system. It’s not about choosing travel or indulging in consumerism, as stereotypes suggest; it’s about making the only feasible choice under current circumstances.
A Call for Empathy and Change
Someone once said, “Children belong to life itself, not to us as an extension of personal property.” Hindering this profound desire to nurture life crosses a precarious boundary, one that society cannot afford to ignore.
When a person spends hours in overcrowded public transit only to return to an overpriced rental apartment, the barriers to parenthood are clear. Time, energy, and financial resources simply don’t align. For a society to accuse such individuals of preferring superficial pleasures over family-building is both unfair and damaging.
What’s needed is a fundamental reevaluation of priorities. Supporting young people in their desire to create families should become a societal imperative. Failure to do so risks not only demographic consequences but also profound psychological repercussions for entire generations.
A Luxury Beyond Reach
Having children has become a luxury most cannot afford. If you meet someone who is trying to start a family and openly shares their struggles, you’re encountering a true hero—someone whose courage goes unnoticed in everyday life but shines with the authenticity of a cinematic triumph.
It’s time to recognize the bravery and determination of these individuals, not just in movies or headlines, but in the real world. Only then can society begin to rebuild the foundations necessary to nurture life and ensure a better future for all.