Embracing The 'Untraditional': Study Says 45% Women May Be Single, Childfree By 2030

A recent study by Morgan Stanley has predicted that nearly 45% of women in the age range of 25 to 44 will remain unmarried and childfree by 2030, which is reportedly the largest share in history—up from 41% in 2018. The report called 'Rise of the SHEconomy' also revealed that women in their 30s and 40s are also more likely to file for divorce or decide against getting married again. These projections underscore a growing 'indifference' to norms like marriage and parenthood to embrace more dynamic societal roles.

The study conducted in the USA says that this shifting paradigm worldwide is enabling more women, with or without children, to work full-time, which should continue to raise the labour force participation rate among women and witness their growth in significant leadership roles.

The Upside Of Being Single, Childfree

More and more women are putting their individual values, goals, and life circumstances at the top of their priority list over marriage and children, defying traditional norms, cultural expectations, and gender norms. In many cases, this choice gives women the freedom to work on their personal development, travel, explore new experiences, feel fulfilled, and flourish in their careers. 

A 2022 report reveals that women who are unmarried and childfree earn more than single men without kids. According to the study, single and childfree women earned $65,000 on average in 2019, while single men without kids earned $57,000. On the other hand, the report revealed that the earnings of single mothers were $7,000 on average in the same year. About 43% of women in the US quit jobs after marriage.

Is It Always A Choice?

Although the research was conducted in the USA, the conclusion applies to every woman and man across the world.  The data shows that single women earn more than women, who are married or have kids. This clearly shows the gender bias that lurks in workplaces. Workplaces avoid hiring women because of their future plans of marriage or motherhood.

According to the employers, if a woman employee gets married, there are chances that she might quit the job. And the reason they assume is that the in-laws and husbands usually do not allow their daughters-in-law to work. Moreover, women themselves quit because it becomes difficult for them to handle the house and office together. Furthermore, some employers assume that if the husband is earning, the woman will no longer require her job.

For India, according to the National Family Healthcare Survey, only 32% of women in India are married. Moreover, when women employees get pregnant, maternity leaves and parenting duties further put them off the promotion lists.  According to another report, 50 % of women leave their jobs during pregnancy and only 27% return. 

A Constant Dilemma 

Imagine, you finished your education, prepared day and night for interviews and finally grabbed a job in a reputed company and at your desired post. You are getting paid enough to live a luxurious life. But would you be willing to give all this up when you get married or pregnant? Seems difficult right? But women are often forced to make this choice.

The vital concern- Is it right to force women to choose between career and family? Is it right to consider them invalid for jobs just because they have a family to take care of? Don’t have families? Shouldn’t they equally be a part of the caretaking of the family as women? Familial duties, marital roles, and workplace attitudes may be the source of it but the sad part of this bias is that women are now scared of marriage and motherhood.

Women are not ready to pay the huge cost of losing their careers to have a partner or child in life. It is sad also because men are allowed to have both things without any opposition or difficulties. They can gain promotions while receiving love from the family. They were neither subjected to such a dilemma nor asked to share marital duties.

Is it fair? What if a woman wants a family too? Should she give up her desires just because society cannot approve of women being independent? Many might shame the women who choose careers over marriage or pregnancy. Because it is just not acceptable for society to have women, who are ambitious but not gharelu (domestic). But are men shamed if they choose career over family? No. Because it is considered to be a man’s birthright to earn and focus on finances.

So dear society, stop pressurising women to choose between family and career. Let women decide for themselves, and take their freedom to flourish in careers and simultaneously have happy families. If they willingly choose to not get married, then it is understandable. Scaring women away from marriage is not right. A woman has the freedom to earn and have a family as much as men do. It is all about choices, and not about what is right and wrong. Let her make fearless choices.

The views expressed are the author's own.