“Childless cat ladies” are clawing back.
Pew Research Center has surveyed Americans without children to gain insight into the state of their lives — and they’re far more satisfied than any stereotype would have you believe.
A sizable 20% of all US citizens over the age of 50 do not have children, with Pew asking 2,542 of them, about their finances, fears for the future, and whether or not they feel fulfilled without any offspring.
The results were published on Friday — just days after Republican Vice Presidential nominee JD Vance’s resurfaced comments about “childless cat ladies” caused controversy across the country, prompting a pointed reply from “Friends” alum, Jennifer Aniston.
Aniston isn’t the only celeb over the age of 50 who does not have kids. Her ex Justin Theroux, age 52, actor Matt Dillon, 60, and Oscar-winner Christopher Walken, 81, are among other childless Hollywood stars.
Walken has been married to wife, Georgianne, for 55 years and the couple has no regrets about not becoming parents.
And, it seems, most other childless Americans feel the same way.
Just 22% of those surveyed by Pew say those who do have children have an easier life, suggesting the demographic largely doesn’t envy those who have become parents.
In contrast, a majority of the childless respondents say it’s easier to afford things they want and save for the future.
Overall, childless Americans are in considerably better financial shape than those with kids.
Childless women over 50 earn about 25% more on average than mothers in the same age bracket.
Childless men, however, earn a little less than their male counterparts who are fathers.
But both men and women without children have higher overall net worths and larger retirement savings than those with offspring, according to Pew, who also examined US census data as part of their research.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, more childless women than childless men say they have “sometimes” felt societal pressure to have children (42% compared to 27%).
While their reasons for not becoming parents are varied, only 8% of those surveyed said it was because they did not like children.
In fact, a huge majority of the childless respondents said they had a very close relationship with at least one niece or nephew — including 74% of women.
And when it comes to the future, only a minority fear feeling lonely or facing issues on their own.
Less than a quarter (19%) say that loneliness could become an issue as they age, while just 26% are worried about who will provide care for them.
