Spanning three decades, new research found that young Republicans consistently expressed a stronger desire for larger families compared to their Democratic counterparts, with this gap widening over time. By 2019, Republicans wanted more children than ever compared to their Democratic peers.

I’ve linked to the news release in the post above. In this comment, for those interested, here’s the link to the peer reviewed journal article:

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jomf.13000

From the linked article:

A study published in the Journal of Marriage and Family has found that political identity is increasingly influencing the number of children young adults desire to have. Spanning three decades, the research found that young Republicans consistently expressed a stronger desire for larger families compared to their Democratic counterparts, with this gap widening over time. By 2019, Republicans wanted more children than ever compared to their Democratic peers, a pattern the researchers believe may affect demographic trends in the United States.

The results showed clear and consistent partisan differences. Across all time periods, Republicans wanted more children than Democrats. On average, Republicans desired 2.56 children, compared to 2.44 children among Democrats. The difference was small at first—just 0.06 children in the early years of the study—but it grew substantially over time. By the final period, 2014–2019, Republicans wanted 0.20 more children than Democrats. In particular, Republicans were more likely to want large families with four or more children, while Democrats increasingly expressed a preference for small families or even no children at all.

This partisan divide became more pronounced after 2003, a turning point in the study’s timeline. Before 2003, Republican and Democratic fertility desires were closer, with both groups fluctuating in their desires for larger or smaller families. But starting in the mid-2000s, Republicans began to consistently express a stronger preference for bigger families, while Democrats moved in the opposite direction, with an increasing number expressing a desire to be childless. The gap in fertility desires plateaued at high levels after 2003, suggesting that the divide between the two groups had become entrenched.

The researchers found that part of the reason for the partisan divide in fertility desires was linked to differences in religious beliefs and attitudes toward gender roles. Republicans were more likely to be religious and to support traditional gender roles, both of which have been shown in previous research to be associated with a desire for more children. Democrats, on the other hand, were less religious and more likely to support gender equality, which often correlates with smaller family sizes.

However, even after adjusting for these factors, political identity remained a strong and independent predictor of fertility desires. This suggests that party affiliation itself, beyond religious and gender views, is shaping how many children young adults want.

In addition to analyzing the number of children desired, the researchers also looked at the distribution of fertility desires. They found that the growing gap between Republicans and Democrats was driven by differences at the extremes of the fertility spectrum. After 2003, Republicans became significantly more likely to want very large families (four or more children), while Democrats became more likely to want no children at all.

For example, in the period from 2004 to 2008, 20% of young Republicans said they wanted four or more children, compared to just 15% of Democrats. By the period from 2014 to 2019, 7% of Democrats expressed a desire to remain childless, compared to 4% of Republicans.

I wonder how much of the recent shift can be attributed to belief in the “white replacement” conspiracy theory? Republicans skew white and are also more likely to believe in conspiracy theories so it would make sense.

Unless all these republicans are swimming in money how they hell are they gong to afford them.

So like the intro to “Idiocracy”

But Republicans do not want to care for the babies they just want to see them on holidays. Democrats realize the work caring for a child.

This is interesting to me as the eldest of 7 children from a conservative, religious family, because I know first hand that being raised in fundamentalist religion can actually backfire on the parents, driving us away from it instead. I’d expect to see a lot more of us apostates as time goes on.

And what is actual number of kids they have? Do they find enviroment to fullfill their desires?

I do think generational trauma is a major cause for regressive attitudes and fear about any and all change in culture. This lines up with that, imo. Kids need consistent parental attention and support. Conservatives probably didn’t receive much of that themselves so think it’s okay splitting your attention across 8 kids when, in reality, focusing on 3 (still a lot!) would give those kids a better life. Unless you’re rich and hire help.

There is this fear mongering from the right about declining birth rates. Someone can correct me if I’m wrong, but the main reason for those declining birth rates are due to a significant decrease in teen pregnancy, and also a decrease in unplanned pregnancy from ages 18-25, which I see as a good thing

It’s my understanding that we also have an increase in pregnancy after age 35, and after 40, with it apparently being safer to carry to term in those age ranges than it was 10-20 years ago

Again, if all of this is true, I see this as a good thing. While it may mean people have fewer children, it also means that people are going into parenthood and making a more informed decision.

as for the right, I think the birth rate fears are completely unfounded. We have increases/decreases in birth rates all the time. We’re not ceasing to exist as a species.

I am willing to bet most of it is “sticking it to the libs” kind of thinking and “the great replacement” conspiracy taking deeper root in more conservative mainstream circles than previously making conservatives procreate like rabbits.