Exploring the Gap: Fertility Preferences and Beliefs Between the Left and Right

Executive Summary

Birthrates have been declining precipitously throughout the United States since the Great Recession and more broadly since the postwar Baby Boom. Despite this broad trend, a fertility “gap” has emerged between the American Left and Right. This report examines the reasoning given for fertility decisions through the lens of ideology. Specifically, this report analyzes the ideological divergence on perspectives on parenting, the prevalence of anxieties, and beliefs about individuality and leisure. To a limited extent, this report finds that Conservatives tend to have a more positive view of parenting, Liberals are more likely to cite certain anxieties as influencing their fertility, and the two groups diverge with regard to their perspectives on rearing children. For each topic, there are significant differences in fertility outcomes. This report also analyses the specific factors of childlessness and how it relates to political ideology. Even with statistical models with controls, these beliefs remain solid predictors of fertility and ideology. It should not be construed that any one belief determines the fertility gap. Rather, when taken together, the myriad of beliefs could be a partial explanation for the dearth in Liberals' fertility relative to Conservatives.