In recent years, a notable shift has emerged in societal attitudes towards motherhood, particularly among young women. With rising career aspirations, financial independence, and a growing emphasis on personal fulfillment, many are choosing to prioritize their own ambitions over traditional family structures. This change is contributing to a significant decline in birth rates across various countries. Supermodel and mother-of-two, Naomi Campbell is concerned about women not wanting kids, stating that, they “will want to be a mom.”
“I have heard a lot of young girls saying that it is too expensive to have children and they may not want them, and I have said, ‘You will change your mind. You will want to be a mum,’” Campbell shared in a recent interview.
“I understand economically it is tough. But my mum had nothing and she made it work. It’s worth it. It is so amazing.”
Campbell has two children: a daughter whom she welcomed in May of 2021 and son whom she welcomed in June of 2023, both born via surrogate.
In a recent interview for Harper’s Bazaar September 2024 Icons issue, Campbell said that being a parent is “the biggest blessing is to have these two innocent, beautiful souls and for me to be able to be their mother. I learn a lot each day. They’re good kids.”
Earlier this year, in an interview with The Times, the former Victoria Secrets model shared that being a mother has also given her a fear of the future. “My babies are everything to me. It’s made me fear for the future,” she said. “I hope for a better world for my children. They are 110 percent my priority. I have to be there for them on their first day at school.”
Campbell always credits her mother for being a major inspiration in her life as she is now “a single mother of a single mum.”
The decision of young women to forgo motherhood is reshaping the demographic landscape in profound ways. With the U.S. birth rate plummeting to 1.66 births per woman in 2021 and 44% of women aged 18 to 49 expressing a preference for childlessness, it’s clear that traditional views on family and parenting are evolving.
As policymakers and communities adapt to this new reality, it will be essential to recognize and support the diverse choices women are making. Understanding these dynamics not only prepares us for a future with potentially smaller family units but also invites a broader dialogue about fulfillment, identity, and what it means to contribute to society in various ways.
Photo: Naomi Campbell