Wanting Children Is Not ‘Shameful’

I n a recent op-ed in the Los Angeles Times, academic and author Jade Sasser laments the state of the world and interviews young people about whether they plan to have children. Although some express a desire for families, not a single one is wholeheartedly willing to have biological children. One interviewee even admitted it feels “shameful” to want children of her own. This piece is another in a long trend of young people, even aides to the vice president, saying they do not want children due to current events, including climate change.

This apprehension isn’t a reflection of climate change’s severity. It’s a symptom of a broader societal issue: a pessimistic overgeneralization of the challenges we face today. The central premise — that the world’s current state of turmoil makes it morally irresponsible to bring new life into it — rests on a dangerously simplistic interpretation of global issues. Yes, plenty of people are worried about climate change, racism, and social inequality. But to suggest that these concerns should categorically deter people from procreation is to ignore just how resilient and adaptable humans are. People who care about these issues should be galvanized, not paralyzed, by them.

History is replete with generations who faced far worse conditions and still found hope and purpose in bringing new lives into the world. From world wars to political upheavals, humanity’s resolve has been tested. Yet, previous generations did not surrender to despair. Still, “American society feels more socially and politically polarized than ever. Is it right to bring another person into that?” Sasser writes.

Further, she subtly implies that adoption or fostering represents a morally superior alternative to biological parenthood. This insinuation, while seemingly well-intentioned, deserves closer scrutiny. The notion that adopting or fostering a child is inherently more ethical than having biological children is not only problematic but also reductive. Biological parenthood is often driven by personal, and valid, motivations that include the desire to pass on one’s genes and to experience each milestone that pregnancy has to offer alongside one’s spouse. For many, it is a meaningful way to contribute to the future, and certainly not ethically inferior. While adoption and fostering are noble and essential for providing care to children who need it, to suggest that these choices are inherently more ethical than biological parenthood is to oversimplify the moral dimensions of parenting. It dismisses the idea that bringing new life into the world can also be an act of hope and commitment to one’s values.

As a climate advocate, I am committed to environmental protection and am driven by a desire to ensure that future generations, including my own children, can experience the same natural beauty that shaped my childhood. Growing up in northern Minnesota, I cherished the peaceful lakes and starry nights that were a backdrop to my formative years. My time exploring the woods with my father and enjoying the waters near my grandparents’ house instilled in me an appreciation for clean air and water and healthy forests. As I look forward to having a family of my own, I’m motivated by the desire to pass these cherished experiences on and ensure that my children can grow up in the same vibrant, clean environment that I did.

Too often, the way we talk about climate change pits people against our planet. Yes, humans have had an impact on the environment, through the burning of fossil fuels and other forms of pollution. Yet humans are also undoubtedly part of the solution for conserving the planet. Humans have made significant strides before, like healing the ozone layer and addressing acid rain. We are capable of overcoming climate change, too.

Instead of embracing optimism in the face of this challenge, we’ve given in to doomerism and despair. There’s a reason nearly half of young people say climate anxiety impacts their ability to function on a daily basis. It’s not because climate change is some insurmountable problem that has doomed us all. It’s because our leaders have failed us.

It would not be difficult to look at climate change and global emissions as an opportunity to unleash American energy of all kinds and pursue policies that would bolster our economy while reducing emissions. In fact, this is happening, but seemingly quietly. This year alone, more than $2 trillion will be invested in the global clean-energy sector, providing jobs, abundant energy, and economic growth to communities all across our country. We saw the completion of the first new nuclear power plants in decades this spring. And, despite headlines being dominated by political polarization, there are dozens of bipartisan bills in Congress that address clean energy and conservation.

We have the opportunity to inspire young people with a positive narrative about climate change, framing it not just as a formidable challenge but as a chance for human triumph. Every generation faces its defining moment, a time when they must choose the legacy they will leave behind. This is our moment. It’s our duty to reshape the story of climate change, demonstrating that we can create a healthier planet and foster an optimistic outlook for future generations. Shame on those who perpetuate the myth that it’s wrong to have children in the age of climate change.