New Report Indicates that Millennial Women Experience the First Decline in Well-being since the Silent Generation
Despite advancements in education and career opportunities, millennial women are witnessing a concerning decline in their overall well-being and safety, signaling the need for urgent attention and policy changes
The recent report suggests that American women may not be experiencing better conditions today compared to their mothers and grandmothers. Data revealed a decline in the most critical indicators of women's safety and health in recent years.
The Population Reference Bureau developed an index to assess the well-being of women, focusing on key indicators such as poverty, education, incarceration, political representation, physical and mental health, and participation in the labor force. This index aimed to compare the status of various generations of women in the United States, specifically within the age range of 25 to 34.
Lead author of the report Sara Srygley, a research analyst at Population Reference Bureau, remarked, "While there have been some areas of generation-to-generation improvement, millennials are the first generation of women since the Silent Generation to experience declines in overall well-being based on our index." (The Silent Generation was born between 1928 and 1945 and lived through the Great Depression and World War II.)
In rural communities, women like Tyler Azure, a 28-year-old mother of the Chippewa Nation in Havre, Montana, find it particularly challenging to access affordable, quality healthcare. Azure is raising six children, three biological children, a stepchild, and her two sisters following the death of their mother.
Frequently, doctors arrive in town to settle their student debt and then relocate to larger cities, she explained. Accessing mental health care is a challenge.
"You can't establish a lasting relationship with doctors who are constantly coming and going," said Azure.
She expressed feeling dismissed and not being given the same level of respect due to her being a young, Indigenous woman.
The report indicated that while there have been improvements in education and employment for millennial women, there have been concerning declines in health and safety that do not align with these advancements. These figures are higher than in previous generations.
CNN
Maternity units are shutting down nationwide, leaving pregnant women with no choice but to travel longer distances for care.
According to Srygley, this issue is not about the efforts or ambitions of today's young women. They are pursuing higher education, entering competitive fields like STEM and business ownership, and striving for the better life they have been raised to believe in.
"Despite their best efforts, these are very real challenges," she said.
And the report showed the challenges are even higher for some women.
Jamelia Harris, senior research director at the non-profit Justice and Joy National Collaborative, noted that there was even less advancement among young people of color. She mentioned that this was the least surprising finding of the report. Harris was not involved in the report.
According to Srygley, there was significant advancement in health, safety, education, and employment for women from the Silent Generation to baby boomers. However, progress slowed for Generation X compared to their mothers, and stalled in 2017.
Srygley reported that in the updated report, it was observed that the decline of mental health among millennials is no longer stalled, but now actively in decline.
Millennial women have seen an increase in homicide rates compared to Generation X, as revealed by the data. Additionally, suicide rates for this demographic have almost doubled compared to Gen Xers, and maternal mortality rates have also seen a significant rise, according to the report. The data also indicates that women of color experience even greater disparities in health and well-being.
in these disparities must be reevaluated and reformed to ensure equitable access to healthcare and education for all individuals, regardless of race or ethnicity.
Srygley stated that it is challenging to pinpoint a single reason for the decline in well-being among millennial women, but it is not unexpected given the influence of social and political structures. She emphasized that progress in narrowing the gender pay gap has halted and noted that an increase in access to lethal means may be affecting suicide rates, although these rates generally do not vary significantly from one generation to the next.
Srygley mentioned that certain policies may have contributed to the erosion of reproductive health care protections, as indicated by several studies that have shown an elevated risk of maternal mortality and potentially higher rates of suicide.
Young mother trying to put baby to sleep and suffer from insomnia.
ArtistGNDphotography/E+/Getty Images
The neglect of health problems caused by childbirth is a major concern. Martha Sanchez, director of health policy and advocacy at Young Invincibles, an organization that promotes the education, health care, and employment of young Americans, points out that younger women are also experiencing mental health strains.
Young women are experiencing an overwhelming amount of pressure and legal barriers that hinder their ability to take care of themselves," Sanchez expressed. "The lack of reproductive access and affordable health care, as well as outright bans or highly restricted access to abortion in some states, is significantly impacting our mental health, especially in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic," she added.
Genisus Holland has a job, is a student and advocates for women of color with Justice for Joy.
Courtesy Genisus Holland
Women need a seat at the table
The focus on improving well-being for women, especially women of color, involves increasing access and inclusive decision-making, according to experts. "Accessing preventive care, affording routine and chronic care, and accessing mental health support during a mental health crisis are all crucial aspects of our health," Sanchez explained.
When it comes to addressing these problems, women should be included in the decision-making, Harris said.
On June 23, 2022, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, a family physician and her resident performed an ultrasound on a 39-year-old woman with four children at the Center for Reproductive Health clinic. The following day, the woman underwent a surgical abortion at the clinic, as the Supreme Court had overturned Roe v. Wade. New Mexico is expected to receive more patients from neighboring states where abortion is banned. For security reasons, the doctor chose not to be identified. (Photo: Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Following the Roe v. Wade decision, almost 20% of individuals seeking abortions traveled to a different state, according to analysis conducted. While conferences, protests, and voting are powerful ways for individuals to make their voices heard, Genisus Holland, a 21-year-old from Richmond, Virginia, emphasized the importance of policymakers also taking action.
"There's a limit to how many times we can repeat the same message before it's no longer our responsibility to keep repeating it. The responsibility falls on the change makers to take action," she stated.
"It might be tempting to ignore stories about the challenges faced by women and people of color, but it's crucial that you pay attention," she emphasized.
"It's frustrating to keep hearing about the same ongoing struggle without seeing any real change. However, I believe it's crucial to share the message whenever we have the opportunity and the strength to do so," she emphasized.
"It may be the same fight, but it's not finished until we emerge victorious," Holland concluded.
