Major Finding 4: Increasing number of childless adults
As recently as 2013, Gallup reported that over 85% of older U.S. adults have had children(7). That number appears to be headed for a steep decline. Our results show that 41% of 25-39 year-olds are not planning to have children.
Ministries should be actively preparing and training priests, pastors and other religious professionals and programs to effectively engage an increasing portion of the adult population whose lives will not be centered around the rhythms of parenthood (e.g., school year calendars, sports, Sunday School, etc.).
7- news.gallup.com/poll/164618/desire-children-norm.aspx#:~:text=Combined%2C%20more%20than%20nine%20in,wish%20they%20had%20(7%25).&text=Americans%20say%20the%20ideal%20number,found%20since%20the%20late%201970s.
8- These findings are in line with recent findings from Pew as well: https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2021/11/19/growing-share-of-childless-adults-in-u-s-dont-expect-to-ever-have-children/
Ministries should be actively preparing and training priests, pastors and other religious professionals and programs to effectively engage an increasing portion of the adult population whose lives will not be centered around the rhythms of parenthood (e.g., school year calendars, sports, Sunday School, etc.).
7- news.gallup.com/poll/164618/desire-children-norm.aspx#:~:text=Combined%2C%20more%20than%20nine%20in,wish%20they%20had%20(7%25).&text=Americans%20say%20the%20ideal%20number,found%20since%20the%20late%201970s.
8- These findings are in line with recent findings from Pew as well: https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2021/11/19/growing-share-of-childless-adults-in-u-s-dont-expect-to-ever-have-children/
