IELTS Essay: Having Children at an Older Age
Some people choose to have their first child at an older age.
What are the reasons?
Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
In recent years, an increasing number of individuals have opted to start their families later in life. This trend raises the question of why more people are choosing to have their first child at an older age and whether the benefits of doing so justify the drawbacks.
One of the primary reasons for delaying parenthood is the pursuit of career stability in a worrying economic climate. In today’s competitive job market, many individuals, particularly women, prefer to establish themselves professionally before starting a family. By focusing on their careers in their twenties and early thirties, they can achieve financial security and attain higher positions, which often translates to job satisfaction and greater resources for their future children. This growing trend is reflected in how mainstream society now places significant emphasis on personal development and achieving personal goals before embarking on parenthood. For that reason, many young adults prioritize their own personal and financial welfare, a situation that engenders an atmosphere less conducive to having children early in life.
There are legitimate disadvantages connected with having children later in life. One of the primary concerns is the potential health risks for both the mother and the child. Advanced maternal age is often associated with a higher risk of complications such as gestational diabetes, hypertension, and chromosomal abnormalities. However, despite these drawbacks, the advantages of having children later in life due to greater maturity overshadow the hypothetical drawbacks. The emotional maturity and life experience that older parents bring to child-rearing can result in a more stable and nurturing environment. Older parents are likely to be more financially secure and better prepared to provide for their children’s education and well-being. The ability to make well-considered decisions and the patience developed over time can contribute to a more thoughtful and deliberate approach to parenting.
In conclusion, while there are valid concerns regarding the health risks associated with having children later in life, the benefits, such as financial stability, emotional maturity, and better preparation for parenthood, outweigh these disadvantages. As societal norms and medical advancements continue to evolve, the trend of delaying parenthood is likely to remain prevalent, reflecting the changing priorities and values of modern individuals.
Analysis
1. In recent years, an increasing number of individuals have opted to start their families later in life. 2. This trend raises the question of why more people are choosing to have their first child at an older age and whether the benefits of doing so justify the drawbacks.
1. One of the primary reasons for delaying parenthood is the pursuit of career stability in a worrying economic climate. 2. In today’s competitive job market, many individuals, particularly women, prefer to establish themselves professionally before starting a family. 3. By focusing on their careers in their twenties and early thirties, they can achieve financial security and attain higher positions, which often translates to job satisfaction and greater resources for their future children. 4. This growing trend is reflected in how mainstream society now places significant emphasis on personal development and achieving personal goals before embarking on parenthood. 5. For that reason, many young adults prioritize their own personal and financial welfare, a situation that engenders an atmosphere less conducive to having children early in life.
1. There are legitimate disadvantages connected with having children later in life. 2. One of the primary concerns is the potential health risks for both the mother and the child. 3. Advanced maternal age is often associated with a higher risk of complications such as gestational diabetes, hypertension, and chromosomal abnormalities. 4. However, despite these drawbacks, the advantages of having children later in life due to greater maturity overshadow the hypothetical drawbacks. 5. The emotional maturity and life experience that older parents bring to child-rearing can result in a more stable and nurturing environment. 6. Older parents are likely to be more financially secure and better prepared to provide for their children’s education and well-being. 7. The ability to make well-considered decisions and the patience developed over time can contribute to a more thoughtful and deliberate approach to parenting.
- Write a new topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
- Explain your new main idea.
- Include specific details and examples.
- Add as much information as you can and make sure it links logically.
- Don’t overuse linking phrases to start sentences.
- Make your examples very specific and detailed.
- This essay is a bit long – aim for about 275 words.
1. In conclusion, while there are valid concerns regarding the health risks associated with having children later in life, the benefits, such as financial stability, emotional maturity, and better preparation for parenthood, outweigh these disadvantages. 2. As societal norms and medical advancements continue to evolve, the trend of delaying parenthood is likely to remain prevalent, reflecting the changing priorities and values of modern individuals.
- Summarise your main ideas.
- Include a final thought. Read more about conclusions here.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean? Make some notes on paper to aid memory and then check below.
In recent years, an increasing number of individuals have opted to start their families later in life. This trend raises the question of why more people are choosing to have their first child at an older age and whether the benefits of doing so justify the drawbacks.
One of the primary reasons for delaying parenthood is the pursuit of career stability in a worrying economic climate. In today’s competitive job market, many individuals, particularly women, prefer to establish themselves professionally before starting a family. By focusing on their careers in their twenties and early thirties, they can achieve financial security and attain higher positions, which often translates to job satisfaction and greater resources for their future children. This growing trend is reflected in how mainstream society now places significant emphasis on personal development and achieving personal goals before embarking on parenthood. For that reason, many young adults prioritize their own personal and financial welfare, a situation that engenders an atmosphere less conducive to having children early in life.
There are legitimate disadvantages connected with having children later in life. One of the primary concerns is the potential health risks for both the mother and the child. Advanced maternal age is often associated with a higher risk of complications such as gestational diabetes, hypertension, and chromosomal abnormalities. However, despite these drawbacks, the advantages of having children later in life due to greater maturity overshadow the hypothetical drawbacks. The emotional maturity and life experience that older parents bring to child-rearing can result in a more stable and nurturing environment. Older parents are likely to be more financially secure and better prepared to provide for their children’s education and well-being. The ability to make well-considered decisions and the patience developed over time can contribute to a more thoughtful and deliberate approach to parenting.
In conclusion, while there are valid concerns regarding the health risks associated with having children later in life, the benefits, such as financial stability, emotional maturity, and better preparation for parenthood, outweigh these disadvantages. As societal norms and medical advancements continue to evolve, the trend of delaying parenthood is likely to remain prevalent, reflecting the changing priorities and values of modern individuals.
Answers
For extra practice, write an antonym (opposite word) on a piece of paper to help you remember the new vocabulary:
Certainly! Here’s a rephrased version of each line using synonyms or alternative phrases:
- In recent years, an increasing number of
In recent times, a growing number of - opted to start
chose to begin - later in life
at a more advanced age - This trend raises the question of why
This phenomenon prompts the inquiry into why - at an older age
in later years - justify
explain - One of the primary reasons for delaying parenthood
A key factor for postponing parenthood - pursuit of career stability in a worrying economic climate
quest for job security in an uncertain economic environment - today’s competitive job market
the current cutthroat employment landscape - prefer to establish themselves professionally
choose to secure their professional standing - focusing on their careers
concentrating on their professional lives - achieve financial security
attain economic stability - attain higher positions
reach elevated roles - translates
equates - job satisfaction
employment fulfillment - greater resources
increased assets - This growing trend is reflected in how mainstream society
This rising pattern is evident in how mainstream culture - places significant emphasis on personal development
emphasizes individual growth - achieving personal goals
reaching personal objectives - embarking on parenthood
starting a family - For that reason
Consequently - prioritize
focus on - financial welfare
economic well-being - situation
circumstances - engenders
creates - atmosphere less conducive to having children early in life
environment less favorable to early parenthood - legitimate disadvantages connected with
valid drawbacks associated with - One of the primary concerns is
A major concern is - potential health risks for
possible health hazards for - Advanced maternal age is often associated with a higher risk of complications
Older maternal age is frequently linked with increased risk of issues - gestational diabetes
pregnancy-related diabetes - hypertension
high blood pressure - chromosomal abnormalities
genetic disorders - despite
even with - due to greater maturity
because of enhanced maturity - hypothetical drawbacks
theoretical disadvantages - emotional maturity
psychological readiness - child-rearing
parenting - result in a more stable and nurturing environment
lead to a more secure and supportive setting - financially secure
economically stable - provide for their children’s education and well-being
support their children’s education and welfare - make well-considered decisions
make thoughtful choices - patience developed over time can contribute to
experience gained over time can aid in - thoughtful
considerate - deliberate approach
intentional strategy - valid concerns regarding
legitimate worries about - health risks associated with
health hazards linked to - financial stability
economic security - emotional maturity
psychological development - better preparation for parenthood
improved readiness for raising children - As societal norms and medical advancements continue to evolve
As societal standards and healthcare progress keep changing - trend
pattern - delaying parenthood
postponing starting a family - remain prevalent
continue to be widespread - reflecting the changing priorities and values of modern individuals
mirroring the evolving priorities and values of contemporary people
Pronunciation
Practice saying the vocabulary below and use this tip about Google voice search:
ɪn ˈriːsᵊnt jɪəz, ən ɪnˈkriːsɪŋ ˈnʌmbər ɒv
ˈɒptɪd tuː stɑːt
ˈleɪtər ɪn laɪf
ðɪs trɛnd ˈreɪzɪz ðə ˈkwɛsʧən ɒv waɪ
æt ən ˈəʊldər eɪʤ
ˈʤʌstɪfaɪ
wʌn ɒv ðə ˈpraɪmᵊri ˈriːzᵊnz fɔː dɪˈleɪɪŋ ˈpeərᵊnthʊd
pəˈsjuːt ɒv kəˈrɪə stəˈbɪləti ɪn ə ˈwʌriɪŋ ˌiːkəˈnɒmɪk ˈklaɪmət
təˈdeɪz kəmˈpɛtɪtɪv ʤɒb ˈmɑːkɪt
priˈfɜː tuː ɪˈstæblɪʃ ðəmˈsɛlvz prəˈfɛʃᵊnᵊli
ˈfəʊkəsɪŋ ɒn ðeə kəˈrɪəz
əˈʧiːv faɪˈnænʃᵊl sɪˈkjʊərəti
əˈteɪn ˈhaɪə pəˈzɪʃᵊnz
trænzˈleɪts
ʤɒb ˌsætɪsˈfækʃᵊn
ˈɡreɪtə rɪˈzɔːsɪz
ðɪs ˈɡrəʊɪŋ trɛnd ɪz rɪˈflɛktɪd ɪn haʊ ˈmeɪnstriːm səˈsaɪəti
ˈpleɪsɪz sɪɡˈnɪfɪkᵊnt ˈɛmfəsɪs ɒn ˈpɜːsᵊnᵊl dɪˈvɛləpmənt
əˈʧiːvɪŋ ˈpɜːsᵊnᵊl ɡəʊlz
ɪmˈbɑːkɪŋ ɒn ˈpeərᵊnthʊd
fɔː ðæt ˈriːzᵊn
praɪˈɒrɪˌtaɪz
faɪˈnænʃᵊl ˈwɛlfeə
ˌsɪʧuˈeɪʃᵊn
ɪnˈʤɛndəz
ˈætməsfɪə lɛs kənˈdjuːsɪv tuː ˈhævɪŋ ˈʧɪldrən ˈɜːli ɪn laɪf
lɪˈʤɪtɪmɪt ˌdɪsədˈvɑːntɪʤɪz kəˈnɛktɪd wɪð
wʌn ɒv ðə ˈpraɪmᵊri kənˈsɜːnz ɪz
pəˈtɛnʃᵊl hɛlθ rɪsks fɔː
ədˈvɑːnst məˈtɜːnᵊl eɪʤ ɪz ˈɒfᵊn əˈsəʊsieɪtɪd wɪð ə ˈhaɪə rɪsk ɒv ˌkɒmplɪˈkeɪʃᵊnz
ʤɛsˈteɪʃᵊnᵊl ˌdaɪəˈbiːtiːz
ˌhaɪpəˈtɛnʃᵊn
chromosomal ˌæbnɔːˈmælətiz
dɪˈspaɪt
djuː tuː ˈɡreɪtə məˈʧʊərəti
ˌhaɪpəˈθɛtɪkᵊl ˈdrɔːbæks
ɪˈməʊʃᵊnᵊl məˈʧʊərəti
ʧaɪld-ˈrɪərɪŋ
rɪˈzʌlt ɪn ə mɔː ˈsteɪbᵊl ænd ˈnɜːʧərɪŋ ɪnˈvaɪrᵊnmənt
faɪˈnænʃᵊli sɪˈkjʊə
prəˈvaɪd fɔː ðeə ˈʧɪldrənz ˌɛʤʊˈkeɪʃᵊn ænd ˌwɛlˈbiːɪŋ
meɪk wɛl-kənˈsɪdəd dɪˈsɪʒᵊnz
ˈpeɪʃᵊns dɪˈvɛləpt ˈəʊvə taɪm kæn kənˈtrɪbjuːt tuː
ˈθɔːtfᵊl
dɪˈlɪbərɪt əˈprəʊʧ
ˈvælɪd kənˈsɜːnz rɪˈɡɑːdɪŋ
hɛlθ rɪsks əˈsəʊsieɪtɪd wɪð
faɪˈnænʃᵊl stəˈbɪləti
ɪˈməʊʃᵊnᵊl məˈʧʊərəti
ˈbɛtə ˌprɛpᵊrˈeɪʃᵊn fɔː ˈpeərᵊnthʊd
æz səˈsaɪətᵊl nɔːmz ænd ˈmɛdɪkᵊl ədˈvɑːnsmənts kənˈtɪnjuː tuː ɪˈvɒlv
trɛnd
dɪˈleɪɪŋ ˈpeərᵊnthʊd
rɪˈmeɪn ˈprɛvᵊlənt
rɪˈflɛktɪŋ ðə ˈʧeɪnʤɪŋ praɪˈɒrətiz ænd ˈvæljuːz ɒv ˈmɒdᵊn ˌɪndɪˈvɪʤuəlz
Vocabulary Practice
I recommend getting a pencil and piece of paper because that aids memory. Then write down the missing vocabulary from my sample answer in your notebook:
I______________s, a__________________f individuals have o___________t their families l___________e. T______________________________________y more people are choosing to have their first child a______________e and whether the benefits of doing so j______y the drawbacks.
O_______________________________________d is the p________________________________________________________________e. In t________________________________t, many individuals, particularly women, p_____________________________________________y before starting a family. By f________________________s in their twenties and early thirties, they can a______________________y and a_____________________________-s, which often t__________s to j____________n and g__________________s for their future children. T_______________________________________________________________y now p_______________________________________________t and a_______________________s before e________________d. F______________-n, many young adults p__________e their own personal and f________________e, a s__________n that e_______________s an a________________________________________________e.
There are l____________________________________h having children later in life. O_________________________s the p___________________________r both the mother and the child. A_____________________________________________________________________s such as g________________s, h_____________n, and c______________________________________s. However, d_______e these drawbacks, the advantages of having children later in life d_________________________________y overshadow the h___________________s. The e_________________y and life experience that older parents bring to c_____________g can r_______________________________t. Older parents are likely to be more f______________-e and better prepared to p_______________________________________g. The ability to m________________________s and the p_______________________________o a more t______________l and d______________h to parenting.
In conclusion, while there are v_______________________________g the h_____________________________h having children later in life, the benefits, such as f__________________y, e__________________y, and b__________________________________d, outweigh these disadvantages. A________________________________________________________________e, the t_____d of d___________________________________d is likely to r____________________t, r___________________________________________________s.
Listening Practice
Learn more about this topic by watching from YouTube below and practice with these activities:
Reading Practice
Read more about this topic and use these ideas to practice:
https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/nine-steps.html
Speaking Practice
Bringing Up Children (IELTS Speaking Part 3)
Question 1: Do you think that parents should make all decisions for their children?
Question 2: At what age do you think children can be trusted to make their own decisions?
Question 3: What are some of the biggest challenges that parents face when raising children?
Question 4: Do you think that parents today face different challenges than parents did in the past? Why or why not?
Question 5: What do you think are some of the most important things that parents can do to help their children grow up to be responsible and successful adults?
Question 6: In your opinion, what are some of the most effective discipline techniques for children?
Writing Practice
Parents should take courses in parenting in order to improve the lives of their children.
To what extent do you agree?
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