Why Aren't Millennials Having Kids?

If you were born in the mid-80's through the end of the 90's, you're a millennial.

I'm a millennial, as are most of my sibling (my youngest brother-in-law is part of Generation Z). And both of my sisters do not want kids. One is so sure she doesn't want them, and has know this since she was a teen, that if she could get her tubes tied she absolutely would. The other isn't as extreme, but really isn't sold on the idea. She adores being an aunt, but being a mom? Not so much.

Those of my friends considering having kids are often of the "one and done" variety. Wanting a big family isn't nearly as common.

I can't pretend to fully understand their reasons, and I've always wanted to have a big family, but the practical side of it? Yeah, I get why they don't want kids.

I work at a very employee-oriented company, and I love my job. But, my job doesn't offer paid maternity leave. Yes, they offer the federally required FMLA 12 weeks of unpaid leave, but let's be realistic, do you know any woman that works that can afford to take three months off without pay? To offset that, you can apply for short term disability where they will pay you 60% of your weekly pay for 6 or 8 weeks depending on your type of delivery. When you combine that with some savings, that is a lot more possible.

However, I got home and checked the mail a couple weeks ago to find a letter regarding my application for short term disability.

Denied.

That's right, because of my medical history they're denying me coverage. Sadly, Obamacare didn't cover disability insurance, just health insurance, so there is not a damn thing that I can do. My medical records are always going to tell you the same story: I had a C-section, two miscarriages, thyroid issues, and a bad battle with depression. I don't know which one of those things was the trigger for them to say no, but those things don't disappear.

Being a parent isn't easy, but it seems that the United States is vastly behind much of the rest of the developed world. Would paid maternity leave change everyone's mind about their future family plans? Of course not. But it would certainly change the conversation.