Perspective with Heather du Plessis-Allan: What do the birth statistics say about our society?

You want some fascinating data about how we’ve changed in the past 60 years? Have a look at the birth statistics out today - especially the age at which mums are having babies.

Last year, 14 percent of births were to mums younger than 25. In 1995, which is just one generation ago, it was double that: 28 percent of births were to mums under 25.

And in 1960, two generations ago, it was 46 percent - nearly half of all births. Today, there are now more babies born to mums over 40 than to mums under 20.

And I’m one of those mums - I was counted in last year’s data. Last January, at 40, I had a baby.

Now, if I could do my life again, I reckon it probably would have been better to have my kids about a decade earlier. Your knees at 40 are not what they were at 30. Kids want you to run, you don’t really want to run anymore. You’re just tired.

But at 40, you also understand the value of time. If I had my kids at 40, and they have their kids at 40, I’ll become a grandmother around 80. Which means I won’t have that long left with them. I probably won’t see my grandkids get married or have their own children - something that must be one of life’s great joys.

Leaving it late means missing out on experiences that previous generations took for granted.

But there are upsides too. You are simply a better person at 40 than you are at 30. You’re more in control of your emotions - a huge part of parenting - and that makes you a better parent.

More importantly, and I reckon this is why so many mums are leaving it later - you’re more financially secure. By your late 30s, you’ve probably bought a house, paid off a decent chunk, and established your career. Your partner’s income is helpful, sure, but you’re not dependent on it in the same way your grandmother was on her husband.

And that’s why I don’t think the age of mums is ever going back down. Women are more financially independent than they were two generations ago. They have choices - and the choice they’re making is right there in the data,
They’re choosing to have kids later.

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