Voices: ‘Children bring more hardship than joy’: Readers on why the birth rate is falling

The rising cost of living and precarious employment make raising children daunting, several readers argued - (iStock)

Charlotte Cripps’ exploration of falling birth rates and “unplanned” childlessness has sparked a strong response from Independent readers, revealing the complex interplay between men’s readiness and economic pressures.

Many emphasised that men’s immaturity is only part of the picture. While some men are eager and committed to fatherhood, financial realities – soaring housing costs, childcare expenses, and the need for dual incomes – heavily shape family planning, constraining both men and women.