New research suggests that more than one in five Britons may have actively changed their own plans to start a family because they have been influenced by high profile celebrities’ struggles to conceive.
According to the survey, 82% of people feel that the endeavours of celebrities such as Kylie Minogue, Courtney Cox and Nicole Kidman to have children have highlighted the reduced chances older women may face of becoming pregnant naturally.
Kylie’s widely publicised desire to start a family has resonated with almost half of those surveyed (46%) and over a third (38%) has reconsidered their own fertility timeline as a result. Comparatively, only 34% of people are influenced by friends and family who have struggled to conceive.
Consequently, 92% of people questioned felt that age 30 and under is the perfect age to have children. Almost a quarter felt that 25 years old was the ideal age to start a family. Over half worry they may have left it too late for a trouble-free conception.
Older celebrities’ openness about their fertility problems has led 65% of people to feel that young celebrity mums, such as Charlotte Church and Katie Price, are increasingly influencing younger generations to have children earlier. The most popular ‘young mum’ role model is Myleene Klass who became pregnant with her first child at the age of 28.
The research also highlights that men have not been blind to the influence of celebrity fertility issues. In fact, 73% of male respondents said celebrity conception problems have really hit home with over a third (34%) saying they have reviewed their own plans to start a family as a result.
People in the North East are most likely to be influenced by celebrity fertility woes – as many as a third of them have actively changed their own plans to have a family because they have watched older celebrities struggle.
It seems Brits are taking heed and proactive procreation is on the up. The fertility related diagnostics market is booming. Recent sales figures of various conception-aiding products are a testament to this. Sales of the Clearblue Fertility Monitor have shot up since its launch in 2005, with one monitor now sold every hour in the UK, while ovulation predictors are showing a 36% growth compared to last year.
Renowned psychologist, Dr Sandra Wheatley, comments: “Nowadays we are exposed to celebrities personal woes more than we are involved in our own family’s difficulties. Celebrities are perceived to be very much in control of their lives and they have the added factor of being attractive. This combination of intimate knowledge, regular contact, perceived control and high attractiveness makes them a potentially powerful influence when we are decision making. The message that having a baby is a diminishing opportunity for all women as every day passes is a powerful one and one it would be beneficial not to dismiss.”
June 2008
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