The number of women aged over 35 in Britain having babies now outstrips those under 25, new statistics reveal.
According to The Daily Telegraph, latest figures from the Office for National Statistics show that 21% of babies born in England and Wales in 2014 were to mothers aged 35-plus, compared with 20% to those 25 years and younger. This finding stands in stark contrast to figures from just five years ago which showed younger mothers outnumbering older by 27%. In 2014, the average age of women having babies passed the 30-year mark for the first time.
The statistics reveal also a distinct geographical divide in terms of those mothers waiting to have their first child, with those in the south of England more likely to fall into the older category versus a younger profile in the north of England. Further, the numbers, revealing that fully 50% of children in England and Wales today are born out of wedlock, show that children born in the south are three times more likely to be born to a married couple as elsewhere.
While the statistics point to the impact of more women delaying motherhood as they pursue careers, it has also been contended that higher property prices are having a direct influence on people’s timing for starting a family. This, coupled with job insecurity, some observers have pointed out, is forcing a delay in the aspiration of many to settle down and raise and family.
Meanwhile, a separate study of family life claims that despite the greater participation of women in the workplace, they are still left with the greater share of childcare in the home.
According to the online network Working Mums, just 22% of respondents to its research said childcare and housework were evenly divided in their households, and just 3% said their husband or partner did more than them in these areas.
The research also found that, in relation to Britain’s Shared Parental Leave scheme which allows for fathers to take their partner’s maternity time off, there has been a big reduction in the numbers wishing to avail of the initiative, with 38% of respondents willing to consider the scheme against 44% last year.
