In recent years, a growing number of millennials have chosen to have only one child, “one and done.” This reflects a shift in priorities. A few of the reasons why millennials are opting for “one and done,” are influenced by a multitude of factors such as economic pressures, evolving social norms, and a desire for personal fulfillment. Keep reading to find out more.
Economic pressures
“Child care was not as substantial a portion of the household budget for baby boomers and early Gen Xers,” Kent Bausman, PhD, professor of sociology at Maryville University in St. Louis, explained to Parents.com in a recent interview. He continued, “For many millennials, having multiple children feels financially impossible.”
According to a recent study by LendingTree, the annual cost of raising a child has significantly increased between 2023 and 2025. The study found that the annual cost jumped by 35.7%, from $21,681 in 2023 to $29,419 in 2025. This increase is attributed to rising costs in several areas, specifically day care, food, and health insurance. Additionally, the study noted that the value of federal tax credits decreased, further impacting the overall cost of raising a child.
Dr. Bausman added to his comment saying that the cumulative financial burden of having more than one child is often comparable to adding an additional mortgage to the existing financial burden.
Evolving Social Norms
Evolving social norms play a big role in why many millennials are choosing to have only one child. Unlike previous generations, there is less pressure to conform to the traditional idea of having a “big” family or the belief that children need siblings to be well-adjusted.
Today, smaller families are more accepted and even celebrated, allowing parents to make choices that reflect their personal values and lifestyle instead of societal expectations.
Desire for personal fulfillment
Millennials tend to prioritize mental health, meaningful careers, travel, hobbies, and personal growth, things that can become harder to maintain with raising multiple children. By having one child, many millennial parents feel they can give their best to both their child and themselves.
Having only one child allows for a more balanced lifestyle where parenting doesn’t mean completely sacrificing personal goals or passions.
Millennials are not worrying about their only children lacking social skills and not developing opportunities to socialize and learn conflict resolution. Not having siblings doesn’t mean that these children will lack. They will be able to obtain what they need from friendships and group settings such as daycare and school.
“Children are more likely to learn social navigation through friendships, group settings like daycare and school, or through interactions with adults,” Rebecca Minor, LICSW, therapist and author of Raising Trans Kids: What to Expect When You Weren’t Expecting This told Parents. “This shift might actually encourage more intentional parenting around things like emotional regulation, communication, and conflict resolution—skills that benefit children (and parents!) regardless of how many siblings they have.”
