The ongoing Iran war has reinforced one woman's decision to remain childfree, as global conflicts and economic pressures make parenthood increasingly unaffordable. Bonnie Harrington, writing for Metro, reflects on how the cost-of-living crisis, exacerbated by the US-Israeli war against Iran, has taken the choice away from many who might otherwise want children.
Harrington notes a difference between joyfully completing a family and reluctantly stopping due to external circumstances. 'The ongoing cost-of-living crisis has taken the decision away. People simply cannot afford to have more than one or two kids, and some aren't having any at all,' she writes. Everyday items like detergent, medications, toys, and even condoms have become more expensive, with condom manufacturing increasing by 20-30% due to the war.
Harrington first wrote about her childfree stance in 2022, when the post-pandemic cost-of-living crisis made parenthood seem impossible. Four years later, with more global conflicts and economic pressures, she feels more sure of her choice. 'What was meant to be a short-term cost-of-living crisis is now just the norm,' she says.
Economic Impact of the Iran War
The war has pushed budgets beyond manageable levels. While Iranian people are most brutally affected, UK households face financial strain. Energy bills, already high after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, have risen further. Food prices are increasing, weekly supermarket shops cost more, and travel costs are impacted. Petrol and diesel prices have jumped, and holidays have become more unattainable as airlines cancel flights and add charges due to increased fuel costs.
According to the Resolution Foundation, living standards for the average UK household were on track for 0.9% growth but are now expected to decrease by 0.6% this financial year due to the war.
Rising Childfree Choices
The Generations and Gender Survey, released just before the US-Israeli war with Iran, found increasing numbers of young adults are choosing not to have children. Key reasons include high childcare costs, the cost-of-living crisis, and worries about the world their children would inherit. Harrington observes more people choosing to be childfree: 'When I first told people I didn't want kids it was unusual. Now I have a group of childfree friends.'
Despite murmurs about 'all time low' birth rates, Harrington argues there hasn't been significant effort to help millennials and Gen Z become parents. She calls for funded childcare, more support for working parents, affordable housing, and confronting the cost-of-living crisis.
Harrington concludes that her 30s have been filled with unprecedented national and international events, and she remains happily childfree. 'My biological clock clearly has no batteries, but even if it could tick, it couldn't possibly be louder than ever-escalating economic, political, and environmental crises,' she writes.
