The Choice to be Childfree: My Perspective

Anna Lee, an intern with CNN Opinion, is a fourth-year English major at the College of the Holy Cross. She has written for various organizations, including the University of Oxford Student newspaper, The Malala Fund (Assembly), and The Borgen Project. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely her own. Click here to read more opinions on CNN.

In a world where temperatures aren't rising, I would choose the name "Athena" for a girl. If the rivers were safe, I would choose "William" for a boy. If I could breathe clean air during my morning commute, the nursery would be painted a warm yellow. If a sustainable future on this planet seemed hopeful, I wouldn't be grieving the prospect of never having children.

If circumstances were different, I would be honored to embrace parenthood. In fact, I believe there is no greater privilege or responsibility. However, with each passing day, the current state of the world discourages me from considering having children. As a member of Generation Z (those born between 1997 and 2012), my primary concern revolves around climate change. Given that climate disasters are already underway and intertwined with various socioeconomic and equality issues, it increasingly feels like bringing children into this world would be an irreparable injustice, as I cannot ensure a promising future for them.

Anna Lee

Courtesy of Anna Lee

Many Gen Zers and millennial older siblings, including myself, have made the decision to delay parenthood. This sentiment is widely shared, as seen in a 2021 NBC article where 39-year-old English teacher Jessica Combes expressed her refusal to bring children into a planet that is facing climate change and healthcare issues. It is evident from research that she and I are not alone in this belief.

Even individuals in influential positions, who have more resources than the average person, have voiced their concerns about bringing children into a world burdened by climate disasters. For example, in an interview with ELLE Magazine, Miley Cyrus vowed not to have children until she could be certain of a world where there are still fish in the water. Similarly, in a 2019 livestream, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York posed the same question that I have been grappling with to her followers on Instagram: Is it morally acceptable to have children in the current circumstances?

Climate anxiety is becoming unbearable

According to a study conducted by the University of Bath, climate anxiety is not limited by national borders. Almost 40% of participants aged 16 to 25 from several countries admitted to being apprehensive about having children due to climate change. Various organizations, including the Canadian group "No Future No Children," have gained significant popularity among teenagers. Many of these teens are making a commitment to refrain from having children until their government takes more substantial action against climate change. Emma Lim, who was 18 years old at the time, stated in 2019 that she was relinquishing her dream of starting a family until she could be certain that her children would have a future worth living and a healthy environment to thrive in.

As depicted by these testimonies, creating a family and in particular, raising children no longer solely depends on personal preference. It also considers its practicality and, more significantly, the ethical aspects. How can we rationalize bringing children into a world where the future seems more uncertain than ever?

Students in New York City walked out of school on September 20, 2019, to join a march advocating for urgent action on the global climate crisis. This demonstration, which has the potential to become the largest climate protest ever, is inspired by the influential Swedish activist Greta Thunberg. People worldwide are uniting on the streets to demand decisive measures against climate change.

I struggle to imagine what lies beyond a year in the future. The magnitude of climate change, which appears to be insurmountable and irreversible, fills me with a sense of hopelessness and anxiety about the days to come. It's as if there is a heavy burden pressing down on my chest, particularly when climate-related discussions arise. Countless sleepless nights have been spent watching devastating images of forests engulfed in flames and communities submerged in water, constantly worried that someone I know may be counted among the victims. Even more distressing is witnessing my own anxieties transferring to my younger sister, like a contagious disease. My climate-related fear not only induces feelings of fear and sadness, but also sparks anger, frustration, and resentment towards a future that feels unfairly denied to me.

I am aware that I am not the first person, both within my generation (Gen Z) and throughout history, to grapple with the immense impact of existential events when considering the future, particularly in relation to starting a family. The previous century alone has been marked by numerous crises, such as WWI, WWII, the nuclear threats of the Cold War, and severe economic downturns. During these times, preceding generations made different choices - choices that I admire and that have led to the comfortable lives that my peers and I currently enjoy.

However, what sets climate change and other imminent events apart, in my opinion, is the level of human cooperation and responsibility required. While wars and financial disasters are invariably caused by humans, they can also be rectified by them. Unfortunately, when it comes to climate change, I struggle to find any hopeful reference point in history that would demonstrate how humanity can effectively come together to address and recover from this issue. Despite the ongoing efforts of many individuals, their message seems to be falling on deaf ears.

The US, on its own, is becoming increasingly divided, with persistent waves of prejudice and racism, political disagreements, conflicting allegiances in global conflicts, and ongoing challenges to LGBTQ rights, women's rights, and other marginalized groups. Trying to achieve the same level of cooperation with other nations appears to be an insurmountable task. As the severity of environmental disasters surpasses our ability to foresee or imagine, the decision to have children becomes a risk that I am less willing to undertake.

Why I dont think Ill change my mind

Concrete discussions of family and having children are not a priority for me at my age, and this decision has been deeply ingrained in me since childhood. I firmly believe that passing on my climate anxiety would be like casting a generational curse. Moreover, I believe that the joys of childhood should remain untouched by the looming threats of doomsday clocks, increased health risks, and the ripple effects of climate change on the economy, violent conflict, and education.

As a US citizen, I am well aware of the immense privilege that comes with the location alone. Along with the resources and opportunities provided by the US, it is likely that any hypothetical children of mine would not be among the most severely impacted by climate change. However, this does not absolve me of the responsibility to consider how my decisions and the environmental conditions I create may affect not only my own children, but also those in less fortunate circumstances, both domestically and internationally. If I were to change my mind and decide to have children, it would be after thorough consideration of ethical sustainability, available resources, and the imminent crises that lie ahead. Additionally, I would need to account for factors such as financial security, partnership, and preparedness.

On Friday, September 11, the Bobcat Fire rages in the Angeles National Forest, located north of Monrovia, California. This year, over 3 million acres have been engulfed by flames in California, making it the most devastating fire season in the state's history.

Etienne Laurent/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

She questioned having kids. Why she's relieved she didn't

As a member of Gen Z or the Millennial generation, I often feel a lack of control in today's environmental and political climate. Alongside Greta Thunberg, Sophia Kianni, and Vanessa Nakate, I was disappointed by President Joe Biden's approval of the harmful Alaskan oil project, known as the Willow Project. This decision, along with others, has further fueled my distrust in the legislative and political system, which continuously fails younger and future generations. Not only do some political officials deny the existence of climate change, but even the so-called "progressive" leaders fail to fulfill their promises to protect the environment.

With limited policy control, I constantly search for small ways to ease my climate anxiety. This includes seeking eco-friendly travel options, using plastic bottles until they wear out, supporting locally sourced food, and repurposing clothing and unwanted items. My decision on whether or not to have children is another attempt to exert control over seemingly uncontrollable circumstances. However, I wouldn't feel compelled to make such drastic changes if the main culprits of climate change, such as the ultra-wealthy elite and massive corporations, would abandon their destructive practices.

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Reflecting on my experience does not mean that all young or middle-aged people should give up on their aspirations for their families, with or without children. It is not my intention to criticize those who choose to have (or already have) children. Instead, I hope to offer some insight into the challenges that many young people in the US and around the world are facing - a future that seems vastly different and less promising than what older generations have experienced. Given the current environmental and political conditions, I believe it is wiser to regret not having children rather than regret having them.

As global temperatures continue to rise and public confidence in climate policies remains uncertain, my vision of an ideal family appears less ideal. The joyful chaos of lively voices and little footsteps, the rewards gained from the sacrifices made by previous generations of my family, and the lifelong commitment to nurturing someone's full potential have been replaced by disheartening alternatives. At best, there is a frustratingly small one-bedroom house, with empty hours to fill and a pervasive silence throughout. Sadly, unless significant changes occur soon, the names Athena and William will only exist in my imagination.

This story is part of CNNs coverage of climate change ahead of the COP28 summitcovering how the crisis affects our lives as well as the global politics and the potential solutions.