As former President Donald Trump continues to brush off any criticisms of his running mate Ohio Sen. JD Vance’s resurfaced comments from 2021 that “childless cat ladies” destroyed American values — with Trump emphasizing that adults without children are just as good as parents and that Vance strongly values family in his own life given his tumultuous upbringing — Americans are having fewer and fewer children.

Vance himself, the GOP’s vice presidential candidate, said his comments from three years ago were “radically” taken out of context by Democrats. 

Describing himself as “pro-family,” he also told Fox News’ Trey Gowdy, host of “Sunday Night in America,” that he firmly believes “there are a whole host of people who don’t have children for a whole host of reasons, and they certainly are great people who can participate fully in the life of this country.” 

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He said Democrats have become increasingly “anti-family” and “anti-parent” over the years as they cite climate change concerns as one reason not to have children.

Whatever the reasons, in April, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that the birth rate in America has dropped to a historic low, decreasing by 3% since 2022. The rate has been on a steady decline since 2014, except for a brief 1% increase from 2020 to 2021.

In recent years, the priorities of young Americans have been changing, including the desire to have children, the data suggests.

Experts say this drop-off could be caused by many factors — including a heightened focus on career goals, the cost of raising children, a priority on personal liberty and mental health, the fear of an uncertain future and growing fertility concerns. 

Career comes first?

Kyle Elliott, a career coach and job search expert based in Santa Barbara, California, told Fox News Digital about a lack of interest in having children among working professionals.

“I am seeing a huge increase in the focus of careers among Americans,” he said. 

“In the past, there were certain expectations in place — now, the path isn’t as predictable or expected.”

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“They’re recognizing that it’s more challenging to balance work and life because their careers are taking up more time.”

Many Americans are working 50 to 60 hours per week, according to Elliott.

“Trying to balance that is a lot more difficult than it was 20, 10 or even five years ago,” he said. 

Many Americans today are working 50 to 60 hours per week, which makes having children nearly impossible, one expert suggested. (iStock)

Individuals who work extended hours are more likely to meet their career goals and earn more money, he said — so many find it “helpful” to forgo parenting commitments.

Company policies for parental leave and child care also come into play, Elliott said.

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While some American businesses have improved accommodations for new parents, the U.S. is “still far behind compared to other countries,” he said.

When employees return from maternity or paternity leave, they’re often still responsible for child care, Elliott noted, which can be “really difficult to balance.”

To recruit and retain employees, one expert suggested that companies should continue providing thoughtful accommodations for families. (iStock)

“I think it would benefit both the employee and the employer if organizations provided more accommodations, whether that’s child care or additional leave or more flexibility, such as remote work or work from anywhere,” he said.

“I think there’s a lot of opportunity to better support parents,” he said, expressing his professional opinion.

Cost of childrearing

The cost of having a child can be daunting for some young Americans, as inflation remains high in many U.S. states, the Labor Department has reported.

A middle-income married couple with two children can expect to pay about $306,924 to raise a child born in 2023, according to data from Credit Karma.

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This estimate is based on a 2017 U.S. Department of Agriculture study.

Cost factors include housing (about 30% of total expenses), food, child care and education, transportation, health care, clothing and other items.

Day care alone could cost up to $17,000 per year in some states, according to 2023 data from the U.S. Department of Labor.

The cost of child care has become “astronomical,” one expert said. (iStock)

There could also be the added cost of saving for the child’s future, including college planning.

Dr. Michele Borba, a California-based educational psychologist and parenting expert, agreed that finances are a “huge factor” in terms of two working parents deciding to have a baby.

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“The cost of child care is unbelievably astronomical, and it’s unaffordable for a lot of parents,” she told Fox News Digital.

Years ago, “you had a nuclear family, or you had a mom who lived next door … and a lot of times, [people] don’t have that” now. 

Changing culture and politics

The American family unit has shifted from earlier generations, as many couples are choosing to get married at older ages and limit the number of kids they have, if any, experts say.

Borba, author of “Thrivers: The Surprising Reasons Why Some Kids Struggle and Others Shine,” emphasized an increased focus on mental health and the need for parents to be mentally strong to raise a child.

“We’re seeing not only a halt in pregnancies, but a halt in larger families,” one psychologist said about today’s parenting situation. (iStock)

Many Americans do not have a secure support system to help raise a child, the psychologist noted, and single parenting is “even harder” for unmarried individuals.

A desire for personal freedom can also play a role in a decision not to have children, she noted.

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Jonathan Alpert, a psychotherapist and author based in New York City, said he believes politics has played a role in people’s decisions to have children or not.

“Patients often cite their reasons as, ‘I don’t want to add to the carbon footprint’ or ‘I don’t want to contribute to overpopulation,’ while others feel great insecurity about the state of the world and say, ‘The world is too dangerous of a place to raise a child,’” he told Fox News Digital.

Parents are often more stressed than their own children, one psychologist noted. (iStock)

Among those “more moderate” politically, Alpert said, “they worry about what it would be like to raise a kid in the climate of pronouns, boys competing in girls’ sports, and boys and girls sharing locker rooms.”

Other people simply don’t feel the pressure to have kids as people once did, the psychologist noted.  

“In the past, there were certain expectations in place — go to school, meet someone, get married, have kids. Now, the path isn’t as predictable or expected.”

Fear of the unknown

Many adults are also burdened by feelings of uncertainty about the future, Borba said, which can result in a “doom and gloom” perspective when considering whether to bring a human being into the world.

Some parents may ask themselves, “Is this the right kind of place to have a child?” or “Should I bring a human into this world when I don’t feel secure myself?”

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Parenting “isn’t as relaxed” as it used to be decades ago, when parents took more of a hands-off approach and there was less emphasis on accelerated development and hyper-safety, according to Borba.

Parenting “isn’t as relaxed” as it used to be decades ago, one expert said. (iStock)

Kids in previous generations had “a lot more free time, a lot more play,” Borba said. 

“Those are things that aren’t part of our kids’ world right now, unfortunately. A lot of [prospective] parents are growing up in a fear-based world, and that’s impacting their decisions.”

Fertility obstacles

The chances of a woman experiencing fertility and pregnancy problems can be another deterrent to having children.

That’s according to Dr. Jillian LoPiano, a Miami-based OB-GYN and chief health officer at the reproductive telehealth platform Wisp, who told Fox News Digital that the health and cost implications of childbirth could cause couples to decide against becoming parents.

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The U.S. is currently experiencing a maternal mortality crisis, LoPiano said.

In 2021, the maternal death rate was 32 out of 100,000 births, which reportedly doubles and triples the current rates in other similarly resourced countries.

The Caesarean delivery rate increased for the fourth year in a row, according to CDC data from 2023. (iStock)

This could be due to the increase in maternal age, chronic health conditions and pregnancy-related health conditions that can appear at an “extreme age spectrum,” LoPiano said.

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“Lack of access to adequate prenatal care, health care costs and restrictive reproductive health care laws all contribute to poor outcomes,” she said.

Socioeconomic factors and other insecurities also play a role in the declining birth rate, LoPiano told Fox News Digital.

‘Should I have a baby?’

For couples who are on the fence about having a child, Borba encouraged them to use their best judgment.

“Nobody knows yourself better,” she said. “In the end, you know who you are and what you can give, so make the decision based on what’s best for your family and your child.”

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Borba suggested writing down the reasons in a journal and leaning on a trusted support system.

“If you want to stick to a decision, you need to be firm and understand your ‘why,’ which means you need to do a little reflective measure,” she advised.

“In the end, you know who you are and what you can give, so make the decision based on what’s best for your family and your child,” one psychologist said. (iStock)

Borba also emphasized the importance of being on the same page as your partner when it comes to having children.

If mental health is the main concern, she suggested seeking help from a provider who can help clarify the decision.

Long-term effects

Overall, Alpert said, it is natural for birth rates to “ebb and flow” over time.

“There’s probably no reason to be alarmed [by today’s declining birth rates],” he told Fox News Digital.

“A lot of [prospective] parents are growing up in a fear-based world, and that’s impacting their decisions.”

“That said, if there’s a significant decline, the proportion of the elderly population would increase relative to births, which could strain the health care system as more resources are put into medical care for the aging population.”

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There would also be fewer people entering the workforce and less spending, Alpert added — resulting in slower economic growth and potentially adversely affecting the Social Security system. 

FOX Business’ Megan Henney contributed to this report.

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A majority of voters believe that Vice President Kamala Harris knew about — and covered up — President Biden’s reported cognitive health issues.

That’s according to a YouGov/Times of London poll that surveyed 1,170 registered voters on July 22 and July 23.

Among those who believe Biden’s health issues were kept under wraps, 92% said they think the vice president was well aware of the situation.

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Overall, 68% of respondents believe Biden’s decline was on Harris’ radar.

“There’s no way for me to know what went through Kamala’s head or what her experience has been dealing with Joe Biden,” Jonathan Alpert, a psychotherapist and author based in New York City, told Fox News Digital.

“Perhaps seeing him on a regular basis made it difficult for her to pick up on any changes,” said Alpert, who has not treated Biden.

“Of course, this is just speculation, and we do not know of any formal diagnosis.”

Judy Gaman, CEO of Executive Medicine of Texas, a luxury medical services provider in Southlake, previously spoke with Fox News Digital about the failure of those around Biden to seek help for the president.

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“Either they are in denial and have watched this take place over a period of time, so they are less sensitive to the contrast, or they are fully aware but can’t bear the thought of what happens to the family (on many levels) if Joe is no longer president,” said Gaman, who also has never treated the current commander-in-chief. 

Biden health concerns

Although there’s long been debate about potential signs of cognitive decline, the issue came to the forefront after the June 27 presidential debate, when Biden sparked concerns with his sometimes incoherent speech and unclear train of thought on national live television.

The president, who is 81, has also appeared to “freeze” on stage during public appearances on more than one occasion.

A new survey found that among those who believe any potential issues with Joe Biden’s health have been kept quiet, 92% say they think the vice president was well aware of the situation. (Getty Images)

In mid-July, Biden tested positive for COVID-19, and was said to experience upper respiratory symptoms that included “rhinorhea (runny nose) and non-productive cough, with general malaise,” according to a statement on the White House’s website.

On July 23, Dr. Kevin O’Connor, the president’s personal physician, released a letter stating that Biden’s symptoms had resolved and that he would “continue to be monitored for any recurrence of illness.”

68% of poll respondents believe Biden’s decline was on Harris’ radar.

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White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre has stated that Biden has seen a neurologist multiple times as part of routine health exams, but that he is not being treated for any neurological disorders.

Dangers of denial

Outside the political arena, it is common for family members and loved ones to avoid facing signs of cognitive decline and potential dementia, experts say.

“Ask any family who has dealt with Alzheimer’s, dementia or Parkinson’s, and they will tell you that what we are seeing play out [here] is classic with most families who face this,” said Gaman, whose own mother struggled with Alzheimer’s disease.

Signs of potential cognitive issues came to the forefront after the June 27 presidential debate, when the president sparked concern with his sometimes incoherent speech and an unclear train of thought. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images; ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images; Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

“His story just happens to be playing out on the big stage,” Gaman added. “Remember, everyone rallying around Biden and covering up the truth has something personal to gain by him continuing to hold office.”

In some cases, Alpert noted, signs may be genuinely missed.

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“Generally speaking, family members who see their loved one on a regular basis don’t always pick up on the cognitive decline as perceptively as those who might just see someone on occasion,” he said.  

“For example, someone seeing Grandma once a year during the holiday season is more likely to pick up on a decline than if they were seeing her monthly.”

“If family members and close associates are in denial about a loved one’s cognitive decline, it can delay diagnosis and treatment.”

That’s because cognitive decline is usually gradual in the beginning, he noted.

“Early signs might be subtle and perhaps mistaken as normal aging or stress.”

In other cases, the person experiencing the decline may find ways to adapt and develop strategies to compensate for the cognitive difficulties, according to Alpert, which can make the symptoms less obvious to close family and friends. 

“Although in the short term it might be easier to look the other way, ultimately denial leads to more stress for the loved ones as the condition worsens,” a psychologist said. (iStock)

Experts agree that a denial of someone’s cognitive decline doesn’t do the person any favors.

“If family members and close associates are in denial about a loved one’s cognitive decline, it can delay diagnosis and treatment of the person,” Alpert warned. 

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“Dismissing an obvious issue as ‘just a bad day’ or saying ‘everyone forgets from time to time’ doesn’t help the person, and will only slow access to resources and proper management of the condition,” he added.

Delaying treatment can also pose safety risks, experts agree.

“Although in the short term it might be easier to look the other way, ultimately denial leads to more stress for the loved one as the condition worsens,” Alpert said.

“Sometimes, getting a proper medical diagnosis provides the clinical validation necessary for the patient to actually feel understood.”

Delaying treatment can also pose safety risks to the person experiencing cognitive decline, experts agree. (iStock)

In Alpert’s practice, he said he sometimes has patients who experience a host of symptoms, but don’t know exactly what is going on.  

“Once I confirm the diagnosis, they feel a bit relieved to know that their symptoms are real and part of a medical or psychological disorder, and not just made up,” he said.

In Biden’s case, denial of a possible cognitive disorder isn’t just dangerous for the president, but also for the country as a whole, experts say.

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If Biden is experiencing cognitive decline, failure to get him the medical attention he needs could be putting his health in danger, according to Gaman.

“From the standpoint of the country, we need to address this as a health crisis and not a political crisis,” she said.

President Biden boards Air Force One as he departs Dover Air Force Base in Dover, Delaware, on July 23, 2024, his first public appearance after announcing his exit from the presidential race. (SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)

Gaman also noted that if Biden does have one of these conditions, he may not understand the need to ask for help.

“This is a prime opportunity to increase funding for research, raise awareness and encourage others dealing with this to come out of denial.”

We need to “encourage others dealing with this to come out of denial.”

Gaman noted that she is not claiming to diagnose the president, but rather asking that the country open up the discussion on neurodegenerative disease, “especially since it’s on the rise.”

Fox News Digital reached out to the Harris campaign requesting comment but did not receive a response. 

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In response to earlier outreach from Fox News Digital, the White House press office said that “health was not a factor” in Biden’s decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race. 

“He looks forward to finishing his term and delivering more historic results for the American people,” the White House said in its statement.