Women have fewer children

A recent study by the think tank Onward highlights the 'motherhood penalty' that discourages women from having children, revealing that, despite a desire for two or three children, the average number born per woman in 2022 was only 1.49 in England and Wales. Factors contributing to this trend include inadequate financial support for new mothers, high childcare costs, and a housing crisis that makes larger families unaffordable. The research suggests that becoming a mother often leads to reduced earnings and savings for women, with significant discrepancies in pension savings between genders. Recommendations include increasing statutory maternity pay and expanding paternity leave. Additionally, discussions surrounding the motherhood penalty are reignited by personal accounts and broader societal observations, emphasizing the career setbacks women face due to motherhood. Activists argue that societal expectations and workplace policies need reform to support working mothers better.