Part 6/9:
A pivotal moment in this demographic decline correlates with societal shifts following the push for gender equality, specifically the idea that women should participate fully in the workforce. While women’s rights and equality are vital, the societal expectation that women work outside the home has reshaped family dynamics profoundly.
Governments and societal norms now favor dual-income households, which, although beneficial in many respects, have inadvertently increased the cost of living. Both parents working full-time often limits the time and resources available for raising children. Additionally, soaring housing prices—particularly in capital cities like Sydney and Melbourne—make it financially daunting for young families to afford homes suitable for raising children.