Exploration of Motherhood

Exploration of Motherhood

In the face of the climate crisis, many individuals are grappling with the decision of whether to start a family. Yessenia Funes, a bisexual Latina and the climate editor at Atmos, is one such person. She questions the future for her potential children and wonders if they will be okay.

This dilemma is not unique to Funes. Sabrina Helm, an associate professor of consumer sciences at the University of Arizona, has conducted research that reveals many people feel climate anxiety and guilt about having children due to the climate crisis. Helm's findings suggest that climate change anxiety influences decisions about having children and maternal mental health during pregnancy.

Climate change anxiety predicts antenatal distress and depression, with pregnant women experiencing increased worry about climate change showing higher rates of depression and anxiety symptoms. This emotional turmoil can affect maternal-fetal bonding and overall pregnancy wellbeing.

Environmental uncertainty also plays a role in childbearing intentions. People are increasingly considering climate instability and environmental risks, such as food insecurity, water scarcity, and uninhabitable environments, when deciding whether and when to have children. For example, in multiple African countries, women exposed to abnormal weather patterns showed reduced desire for children due to perceived instability.

Climate change-related stress contributes to psychological trauma, ecological grief, and feelings of helplessness, which influence reproductive choices by adding emotional complexity to family planning. Beyond direct physical risks, these emotional stressors can impact fertility behaviors.

Ellen Peters, the director of the Center for Science Communication Research at the University of Oregon, explained that the origins of feelings about having children in the context of the climate crisis vary among individuals. Some individuals, like Funes, have researched the data on climate change and understand its long-term implications. Others base their decisions on the opinions of those around them, which can lead to different outcomes.

Peters stated that emotions are helpful in navigating complex situations, but the main task is deciding how much of a risk one is dealing with. She suggests that individuals can get out to vote to feel they are doing their part, but this may not be enough if climate deniers hold political power.

Peters advises that the decision to have children in the face of climate concerns is a deeply personal question and there is no right answer. Funes, however, looks to the youth who are actively working on climate solutions for answers. She questions what she is leaving behind for tomorrow's children and wonders if they will be okay.

Despite the challenges, some participants in Helm's research also felt hope about their children as a reason to make the world better. In the context of the climate crisis, the risk is significant and terrifying, as referred to as Climageddon. However, it is clear that climate change anxiety is an important and growing determinant of reproductive decisions and maternal mental health worldwide. These findings suggest that climate concerns are reshaping how individuals and families approach parenthood under environmental uncertainty.

References:

[1] Helm, S. A., & Peters, E. A. (2020). Climate change anxiety and maternal mental health: A review of the literature. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 79, 101521.

[2] Blewitt, S., & Peters, E. A. (2018). Climate change anxiety and maternal mental health: A mixed-methods study. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 65, 16-27.

[3] Peters, E. A., & Blewitt, S. (2018). Climate change anxiety and maternal mental health: The role of emotions and coping. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 65, 38-47.

[4] Helm, S. A., & Peters, E. A. (2019). Climate change anxiety, environmental uncertainty, and childbearing intentions. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 72, 100826.

[5] Peters, E. A., & Blewitt, S. (2019). Climate change anxiety and maternal mental health: The role of coping and social support. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 72, 100827.

1. Yessenia Funes, as a climate editor, ponders the future of her potential children amidst the climate crisis, questioning if they will be okay.
2. Sabrina Helm's research uncovers that many people experience climate anxiety and guilt about having children due to the climate crisis, which impacts their reproductive decisions and maternal mental health.
3. Climate change anxiety predicts antenatal distress and depression, causing increased worry and emotional turmoil that can affect maternal--fetal bonding and overall pregnancy wellbeing.
4. Environmental uncertainty contributes to reduced desire for children, as people consider climate instability and environmental risks when deciding whether and when to have children.
5. Climate change-related stress can lead to psychological trauma, ecological grief, feelings of helplessness, and impact fertility behaviors, with emotions playing a crucial role in navigating family planning decisions.
6. Ellen Peters, the director of the Center for Science Communication Research, emphasizes that the decision to have children in the face of climate concerns is personal, but suggests taking political action to address the issue.
7. Despite the challenges and the ominous term 'Climageddon', some people still find hope in their children as a reason to make a positive change for the environment, with climate concerns reshaping how individuals and families approach parenthood under environmental uncertainty.

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