Was it normal in the 1990's for people over the age of 40 to have babies at that time?

[Alwayreckles93]

I noticed that most people I went to school with have parents over the age of early 70's. Last time I over heard my co worker telling me how she will turn 32 and her mom will be 73 and how both share the same birthday. I see how times have changed I can not understand why doctors say 40 year olds no longer should be having kids. I made Emmy research back in the following years babies born in 1990-1997 parents had them when they were in their early 40's. It was normal for a 43 year old to have a baby in 1992. I wonder how many people here are my age and have parents who are over the age of 70.

[nolabels]

My wife and I had our son in 1997 when we were both 40 years old.

I didn't want children at all, for valid selfless reasons.
My wife did want children, but agreed before marriage that we would not, since it was my firm desire not to.

My wife soon after marriage went off the pill without telling me, thinking that I'd change my mind about having children once our son came along.

Of course, she became pregnant.
I blame both her and me.
I should have gotten a vasectomy to ensure that I would have no children.
Yet, I was tricked by my wife.
So, both of our faults.

I haven't changed my mind about not wanting children, although I love my son, who has recently estranged himself from me, more than anyone on this Earth.

Our son is now almost 27.

It may sound strange to some to hear that I love our son, yet that I didn't want children.
I had and still have valid, selfless reasons why I believe that I should not have had children, reasons too complex to go into here.

Be very careful of your actions in this world, and of questioning the true intentions of those with whom you choose to interact with.
The results of interactions between people can have devastating effects.

I veered from the intent of this question in order to tell my story.

In regard to what I see as the actual intent of the question, my maternal grandmother had 8 children starting at the age of 23 in 1925 with my mother, the eldest, with grandma's last child arriving in 1948, with grandma being then 46 years old.
It was a great family, and my two youngest uncles are still alive at this time.

My opinion, though, is that if people want children, they should do so in their 20s.
The world seems to be headed away from, to me, that more natural way of things.

[WindAtMyBack]

Short answer: Yes

There was a trend for a while of people having kids at an older age. I think that was in the late 80s and into the 90s. So most of the children of them would be in their 30s now.

I'll play amateur sociologist here. Those parents were from the boomer generation, especially the mid-late boomers. Things were changing very rapidly as they grew up and entered adulthood. One thing that happened was that they were not taking life too seriously. They were just out having a lot of fun. Many also didn't have any direction. They had a VERY high college dropout rate.

During the 60s and 70s, all the old norms were thrown away. That included getting married and having kids at a very young age. Although it was still common to marry and start a family in their late teens and early 20s, it had become MUCH more common to delay. It had become more socially acceptable to not get married and start a family before 30.

Basically what happened is that people were going to college, getting married, and having kids at an older age than was common in the past. For example I went back to college around 1989-92 when I was in my mid-30s. College students that age were VERY common. In my program there were more students over 30 than there was under 25. In the evening classes, the average age was probably late-30s to early 40s.

You could see the older parents visually. You would literally see a relatively large number of parents who appeared to be in their late 30s - 40s with young children.

Bottom line is that everything got delayed, not just having kids.

[Crimsyjo]

I'm 45 and my mum nearly 75. So she was 30.

I don't think it's particularly normal then or now? I think due to career opportunities it's likely a little more normal that women wait until 30's to early 40's now. But still in the minority.

[Alwayreckles93]

Yes it is important for woman to have their own careers. Men can be jerks at times I heard a lot of scary stories to where the husband lives the wife and they don't appreciate her. Later the wife has to struggle working two jobs taking care of the kids. I was told by a mental professional woman mature quicker and can manage to multitask how men are only focus on one thing. The house could be burning down and men are yet still sitting playing video games. While woman we work yet come home take care of the kids , clean and cook. I guess now woman we are waking up a realized how important it is to have a career.

[Alwayreckles93]

You know your answer is very interesting.

[Crimsyjo]

Thank you. I had my kids at 26 and 31.
I didn't have career plans. I had a husband who I met at age 19. I thought as long as we were working that's all fine.
Weirdly... I was better off financially after we broke up than I ever was with him!!
And yes... I've always had to do everything. Work, look after the kids, organise the food, bills everything. My husband knew nothing. He just worked and (ironically) played video games (and he was 31 when I was 19).
I drive and am working on my career now. He never got round to driving and still works same job since he was 16.
Do we women want a loving relationship of equality and a man that makes us feel safe and protected and supported? Yes. Do we get a man like that? No. We just get another "child" to look after. So it's no wonder most of us have to choose being independent and looking after ourselves. At least we don't have to share the bounty of our hard work!

[Alwayreckles93]

Very well said wise words yes I agree with you. A husband is pretty much taking over where they're moms left off. Your situation is very common where woman we become more financially stable once the husband lives. Wow he was a men child considering he is much older than you we would expected him to act more mature. I hope he at least help you out with the kids. It wasn't fair you had to do everything all on your own. Video games typical let me guess you were the only parent who went to teacher meetings.

[Crimsyjo]

No. He complained that our daughter didn't like hm as a baby because she cried when separated from me. And of course the more he didn't hold her the less she got to know him to not cry!
I got mother burn out and depression from having no breaks and time for myself. He worked nights so I had to deal with the baby crying all night then try keep her quiet so he could sleep in the day.
He was a man-child. I should have known by fact he was living with his mum still at 31. At 19 I wasn't wise to these signs lol. He was a kind man. But weak. No goals. No motivation to better himself or us.
Everything we did - moving into our own place, me learning to drive, having vacations, decisions, was all my planning.

[Apple1996]

It was common back in the day to have babies at older ages because there was no birth control. My great grandma had 22 kids most of them being born in her 40s and 50s

[LiamJHayden]

My mom was approximately six weeks shy of 45 when I was born, but none of my classmates had parents of similar age.

[OddBeMe]

There is a correlation and probable causation of women’s rights and less babies. And that’s a good thing. We’re approaching 9 billion world population.

[Ladsin2]

Not to the best of my recollection. My parents were in their mid-20s when they had me and I think most of my friends parents were around the same age.

[Anonymous]

I would say no except for societies that did not like protection in which case the woman may have children until her biology prevents it.

[bradley142]

That's a really good question

[Bklynbadboy12]

I don't know if it's normal but it happens

[Walksbehindtherows]

Still normal

[Alwayreckles93]

Your parents had you when they were in their 40's at the time?

[Walksbehindtherows]

My mother was 71 years old and my father was 83 years old when I was born.

[Alwayreckles93]

Are you joking or is this for real?

[Walksbehindtherows]

It's not a joke, it's true, yes it's hard to believe but it's true.

[Alwayreckles93]

How do people react when you say hey this is my mom.