Surprising Facts About Modern Mothers
The post-WWII era was called the baby boom for a reason: By 1964, 36 percent of Americans were under the age of 18. In 2013, children accounted for just 23.5 percent of the population. One of the leading drivers of this change is an equally dramatic shift in fertility rates. While the average American mother had 3.7 children in 1960, the current average stands at 1.9 children (just shy of replacement rates). Beyond economy-related fluctuations, which can affect fertility rates, researchers believe this long-term decline is spurred by improvements in birth control and increasing rates of women in higher education and the workforce.
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May 9, 2014Citation:
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Last Updated:
July 1, 2014