In the 1989 movie “Steel Magnolias,” Shelby Eatenton battles Type 1 diabetes, so she and her fiancé, Jackson Latcherie, have been medically advised to avoid pregnancy and adopt children instead. Yet after marrying, Shelby becomes pregnant, much to her mother’s dismay.
Shelby’s mother, M’Lynn Eatenton, loves her family – especially her daughter. Eighteen months after their son is born, Shelby collapses. Unconscious, she is rushed to the hospital, where her organs begin shutting down. One by one, her husband, father, and brothers come in and tearfully say their goodbyes. Only M’Lynn stays, watching the monitor as her daughter’s vital signs begin slowing, holding Shelby’s hand to the bitter end.
I saw “Steel Magnolias” in theaters when it came out and cried like a baby when Shelby died. I saw it again recently on TV and teared up – this time observing M’Lynn and imagining her unfathomable pain. After becoming a mother, things hit very differently.
As a mother, I have experienced the best and worst of times. When my children suffer, I suffer. When they celebrate, I, too, feel ecstatic. My love for my children is one of primal protection. When faced with imminent danger, I would stop at nothing to keep them safe.
Becoming a mother is one of the greatest, most joyful, and most exhausting gifts of my life. I am eternally grateful that the Lord has granted me this privilege. That is why I am perplexed as to why young women are running from raising children.
According to a November article in The Western Journal, more than half of childless American women do not want to become moms.
The most recent American Family Survey also found that a concerning number of American women want children. Only 40% of women under 50 said “definitely” or “probably,” while 50% of men said they want children. Another 44% of women stated they “probably” or “definitely” do not want children. When asked if there are too many or too few babies being born in the United States, men were much more likely to say “too few.”
The U.S. fertility rate reached a record low of 1.6 live births in 2024, well below the replacement rate of 2.1. We are not just in a period of population decline – we are in a population decline crisis. Public health experts foresee catastrophic consequences, including long-term labor shortages and economic challenges.
Just when Generation Z young men appear to be turning back to God and esteeming the idea of starting families, similar polls indicate fewer Gen Z women appear to value marriage, family and children.
Way back in 1993 (my era), 76% of young men said they would most likely choose to marry. In 2023, that percentage was relatively unchanged. Young women, however, have lost their minds. In 1993, 83% of my gender (including an enthusiastic me) planned to marry and raise a family. By 2023, that percentage dropped to 61%. According to Pew Research, young females appear to be driving this negative generational swing against marriage and motherhood.
According to one narcissistic article, young women are choosing “themselves.” They are done giving their time away. The role of wife and mother is too much of a “service” role and they are refusing to center their lives around someone else’s schedule.
Young women are still buying into false propaganda whispering that the goal of a woman’s life is to prioritize herself, her career, and her whims, maintaining control over her life. That’s a lie from the pit of hell, designed to destroy the nuclear family and blind women to the fact that true liberation lies in serving others and raising families.
Marriage and motherhood can be hard. If 2025 were a movie, our family would give it a one-star, “very bad, do not see” rating. Between Long Covid, our son being sidelined from running due to foot injuries, and my father’s declining health, it has been an emotionally draining year. Due to my dad’s health needs and our son’s doctor’s appointments, I haven’t worked since September. There’s not much “me time,” but there is immeasurable value. Serving others in their time of need is a high calling because it’s bigger than ME. Ultimately, I serve the Lord by helping others, and my loved ones benefit from being cared for by someone who is seeking their best.
Pray for the young women who are being deceived into believing that self-exaltation is their highest priority. Pray their eyes will be opened to see the messy joy that children bring. Because in old age, it will be a devastating, lonely realization when, with clear eyes, they picture all they chose to forsake in the name of feminism.
Kristin Landers is a substitute teacher and freelance writer. Landers’ previous work includes serving as Communications Director for the Alabama Policy Institute and working for Citizens Against a Legalized Lottery (CALL) to defeat legalized gambling in the state of Alabama.
The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the policy or position of 1819 News. To comment, please send an email with your name and contact information to [email protected].
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