cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/45445434
Fox News Senior Medical Analyst Marc Siegel made some eyebrow-raising comments lamenting that birth rates are down among teenagers aged 15 to 19.
On Thursday, the National Center for Health Statistics reported that the U.S. fertility rate fell to another record low. The agency reported that the number of births per 1,000 women of childbearing age declined from 53.8 in 2024 to 53.1 last year. The latest figure represents a continuation of a decades-long decline in fertility rates.
Siegel joined Friday’s edition of America’s Newsroom, where Dana Perino said that while the continuing trend is not surprising, “the numbers might feel a little shocking.”
We had kids in our 30s and one of the delivery ward doctors we spoke to told my wife “Your age classifies you as geriatric but don’t take the label too hard. You’re just not 15 anymore.” And I remember saying “15? Gee do you see a lot of 15 year olds having babies in here?” And she said oh yes, all the time, and “They’re the superstar athletes of giving birth. In, out, easy, done.”
I guess my point is that while we consider sex a crime before 18, nature doesn’t care and 15 year olds are not merely eligible but in some ways at human peak for fertility.
It’s uncomfortable, but it’s biology. I am not surprised if 15yos are making a real contribution to fertility rates in aggregate. I’m not saying that’s right and we should encourage it. Again, just uncomfortable realities here.
How long ago was this and in which country? I recently gave birth in my 30s and I was told it’s the norm these days (in fact average age of first time mom in my area is 32 last year). Even in my late 30s, I have a lower complication and mortality rate than teen pregnancies. The best age from what I was told is early to mid 20s, biologically. But for most people emotionally and financially late 20s is actually better.