Father’s Day: Half of Austrians want to rethink having children due to the world situation

A third of men and women between the ages of 20 and 29 even feel it is irresponsible to have children today. Being a father is part of life, but so are 76 percent of men, according to a survey commissioned by the Vienna Fertility Center for Father’s Day. 74 percent of the men surveyed feel that being a father is the best thing in life and despite the current crises, the desire to have children remains strong, according to a press release. 71 percent of men and women have always wanted to have children. Women agree even more strongly here, at 50 percent, “absolutely”, while only 28 percent of men share this absolute agreement.

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However, the younger generations in particular are of the opinion that having children should be reconsidered due to the current crises. 65 percent of 14- to 19-year-olds and 64 percent of 20- to 29-year-olds think that the decision must be well considered.

“Desire for family deeply rooted”

“In times of global crises and uncertainty, it is understandable that family planning is considered particularly carefully. However, the results show that the desire to have children remains strong even in challenging times, which in turn shows how deeply rooted the desire for a family is in our society,” explained Andreas Obruca, medical director of the Fertility Center at the Vienna in Vienna-Mariahilf.

Two thirds (67 percent) of men fear that more and more women no longer want to have children. In contrast, less than half of women (42 percent) worry that more and more men no longer want to have children. In addition, 44 percent of men worry that women are less fertile today than they were 20 years ago. And 41 percent of women worry about male fertility. Over a third of men (40 percent) are also worried that their lifestyle could negatively affect their own fertility.

Fertility is not just a women’s issue

“Fertility is not just a women’s issue, but unfortunately men think about it far too rarely. The causes of involuntary childlessness are 55 percent of the men’s fault, 15 percent of the women’s, and 30 percent of the cases of both partners,” reported Obruca. There are fewer and fewer sperm in the semen of Austrian men. “Not smoking, a normal body weight, sufficient sport and physical activity, and not taking anabolic steroids or hormone preparations in the fitness area are particularly important,” stressed the doctor. A healthy diet also plays an important role.

For the survey, the Marketagent Institute, on behalf of the Vienna Fertility Center, surveyed 1,050 people between the ages of 14 and 75 online. The survey, conducted in mid/late May, is representative of the entire Austrian population.