New York Times Survey Finds Nearly 700 Readers Weigh Mental Health in Parenthood Decisions
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jun 17
New York Times Survey Finds Nearly 700 Readers Weigh Mental Health in Parenthood Decisions
1 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jun 17
Summary
Nearly 700 reader responses to a New York Times April survey showed mental health is a major factor in deciding whether to have children, with many describing the choice as especially fraught.
Many respondents said they feared passing mental illness to a child or losing their own stability under parenting stress; some ruled out parenthood, while others remained undecided or chose to proceed.
One reader wrote that they felt unable to raise a child because they were often unable to care for themselves, underscoring how personal well-being shaped the responses.
A 2025 study cited in the report found adults who rated their mental health as poor were more likely to say they were less likely to become parents, suggesting health concerns can materially shape fertility plans.