CDC reports U.S. fertility rate drops to 1.6, below replacement level

The United States fertility rate has fallen to 1.6 children per woman, a level well below the 2.1 threshold required for population replacement, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

This demographic shift coincides with the Chicago performance of Brooklyn-based comedian Bailey Swilley, who explores the decision to remain child-free in her show, "A Baby For Me? No Thank You, Please!" The performance is scheduled for November 21 at the Den Theatre, located at 1331 N. Milwaukee Avenue.

Swilley, who grew up in Memphis, describes her choice as an inherent preference rather than a reaction to external pressures. She stated, "I don't see myself as a parent. I don't see myself in that role." She noted that she has always loved children, observing her parents raising her and her younger brother during her childhood.

The comedian recalls watching her parents care for her and her brother, who is five years younger than her. At the time, she thought, "Yuck. I don't think that's for me. I just don't see myself in this. Not what I aspire to." This early reaction formed the basis of her current stance.

Common reasons for avoiding parenthood often include economic instability, lack of suitable partners, or uncertainty about the future. Swilley cites specific physical and emotional factors, using terms such as "body horror" and the "ring of fire," a phrase associated with the pain of childbirth. She references a routine involving a doctor searching for a broken IUD to illustrate these concerns.

Swilley is married and says she and her husband are aligned on their child-free lifestyle. She explained, "We're on the same page." Despite her husband's friends having children, the couple regularly checks in with each other after spending time around kids. These conversations consistently conclude with a mutual decision to remain child-free.

The comedian addresses the fear of changing her mind later in life, referencing the character John Mulvaney from the television series "The Office." Mulvaney famously declared his commitment to being child-free before later becoming a father. Swilley noted that this narrative of a sudden reversal is a common worry among women who choose not to have children.

She described the anxiety of feeling that circumstances might force a change in plans, saying, "Oh my God, you can think you're on the same page and the rug gets swept out from under you. That's something lurking in a lot of child-free women's minds." She views her choice as a deep-seated belief that is either present from birth or absent.

Swilley does not feel responsible for influencing audience members' family planning decisions. She stated, "It's not me trying to convince anyone. This is my true belief." She believes individuals inherently know whether parenthood is right for them, adding, "Ultimately, you're bringing a stranger into the world."

The show will be presented in two performances on November 21, beginning at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. at the Den Theatre. The event offers a local platform for discussions on the declining birthrate and the personal choices behind child-free lives.