Exploring climate-reproductive concern: factors influencing hesitancy towards parenthood in the context of the climate crisis

The uncertainty surrounding the future influences significant life decisions, including the choice to have children, and previous research has raised concerns about how climate change might impact young adults’ reproductive plans. This study, conducted through an online survey, aims to provide insight into factors that distinguish individuals with high climate-reproductive concern. Specifically, we investigate the relationship between different levels of climate-reproductive concern and various psychographic factors such as attitudes towards reproduction and parenthood, the desired number of children, climate anxiety, depressive symptoms, values, environmental concerns (including overpopulation and resource use), pro-environmental behaviors, and a range of socio-demographic variables. Using a sample of 334 childless Americans aged 18 to 44, we found no significant differences across levels of climate-reproductive concern in parenthood attitudes, pro-reproductive attitudes, or the socio-demographic variables except for political leaning. Notable discrepancies existed for anti-reproductive attitudes, the preferred number of children, overpopulation concerns, altruistic values, and pro-environmental behaviors. Climate anxiety emerged as a crucial factor distinguishing between levels of climate-reproductive concern, whereas general depressive symptoms did not play a significant role. Our research provides a nuanced understanding of adults who hesitate to have children due to climate change concerns and offers implications for various stakeholders and research disciplines.