Having children is a major life decision that can impact someone’s health and longevity in various ways. On one hand, the stress of raising children could theoretically shorten someone’s lifespan. On the other hand, having a family to care for could motivate someone to adopt healthier habits. So what does the research show – do people with kids actually live longer lives?
Impact of parenthood on longevity
Several studies have aimed to determine if there is a correlation between having children and longevity. The research results have been mixed.
A 2011 meta-analysis published in the Journal of Health Psychology combined the results of 8 studies that compared longevity between parents and childless adults. The analysis found no significant difference in longevity between parents and non-parents. The life expectancy was the same in both groups.
However, when broken down by gender, an interesting difference emerged. Fathers were found to have significantly lower mortality rates compared to men without children. But this longevity benefit did not extend to mothers – there was no difference in life expectancy between mothers and women who were child-free.
A 2020 study published in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health examined this question again using more recent data. The researchers utilized health data on participants of the UK Biobank study, comparing longevity between parents and non-parents. This analysis found that mothers had 4.2% lower mortality rates compared to women without children. And fathers had 8.6% lower mortality compared to men without kids.
So this more recent study found that parents of both genders tend to outlive their childless peers. The effect seems to be stronger in men than women though.
Why could children increase longevity?
Assuming it’s true that parents live longer on average, why would that be the case? There are a few theories on why raising children could boost longevity.
One reason could be that having a family gives people a stronger sense of meaning and purpose in life. The responsibility of caring for children and guiding them through life could provide motivation to stay healthy.
Additionally, parents may be more likely to have stronger social connections. Interacting with their children, other parents, and family members may ward off loneliness and isolation, which have been linked to poorer health outcomes.
Research has also shown that parents tend to engage in lower risk behaviors. Compared to childless adults, parents are less likely to smoke, abuse drugs and alcohol, or engage in violence and crime. Avoiding these high risk behaviors could contribute to longer lifespans.
Some studies suggest parents have lower rates of severe mental illnesses like depression and schizophrenia as well. The protective effect against mental illness likely also translates to better physical health.
Challenges for parents’ health
On the other hand, parenthood can also create health challenges that could shorten lifespans if not managed properly.
A major source of strain for parents is lack of sleep. Infants and small children often wake multiple times during the night needing feedings and comfort. New parents can experience severely disrupted sleep patterns, which over time can impair immune function and increase obesity risk if chronic.
The responsibilities of parenthood can also lead to higher stress levels. Trying to balance childcare, careers, finances, housework and other duties leaves little time for relaxation and self-care. Chronic stress takes a toll on long-term health.
Parents often struggle to find time for regular exercise and making healthy meals. When life gets extremely busy, it’s easy to rely on fast food, prepared meals, and takeout. The impact of poor nutrition and inactivity can accumulate over decades.
Research shows parents are at increased risk for certain chronic diseases as well. Women who have had children have higher rates of heart disease and diabetes later in life. The physical stresses of pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum recovery may be contributing factors.
Health differences by number of children
Does the apparent longevity boost of parenthood depend on how many children someone has? Several studies have analyzed if life expectancy differs depending on family size.
A 2004 study followed over 7,000 American parents for many decades. They found that those with 1-3 children tended to outlive those with 4 or more children. Parents of large families had shorter lifespans on average.
However, a more recent 2020 study contradicts those findings. Analyzing data from the UK Biobank, researchers did not find significant longevity differences based on number of offspring. Parents with up to 8 children had similar lifespans as those with just 1 child.
Based on these mixed results, it seems family size alone does not determine longevity outcomes. The health impacts of parenting appear complex and may involve many socioeconomic factors beyond just number of kids.
Does age at first birth matter?
Might the age when someone first becomes a parent influence their lifespan? Does having kids earlier or later in adulthood change mortality risk?
This question was examined in a 2018 study published in the American Journal of Public Health. The researchers analyzed health data from nearly 2 million parents in Sweden.
They found that women who first gave birth from ages 25-35 had the lowest mortality rates. Women who became mothers at age 40 or older had the highest mortality.
For men, those who first became fathers at ages 30-39 had the lowest mortality. Men with earliest paternity (under age 20) and latest paternity (over 45) had shortened lifespans.
These findings suggest delaying parenthood until at least the mid-20s for women and early 30s for men may bring longevity benefits. But waiting too long past the typical childbearing years appears to increase mortality risk later in life.
Does having grandchildren influence longevity?
Becoming a grandparent is the next major milestone in family development after having children. Does gaining grandchildren impact a person’s lifespan?
Some research suggests it just might. A 2016 study followed over 500 elderly adults in Germany for 18 years. Those participants with grandchildren lived significantly longer over the study period compared to those without grandkids.
Having grandchildren was associated with a 37% lower mortality risk. And each additional grandchild reduced mortality risk by a further 5%.
Similar results were found in a 2003 study of American elders. Grandparents had lower risks of disease and reported better overall health compared to age-matched non-grandparents.
It seems that just like parenthood, becoming a grandparent may also motivate older adults to engage in healthy behaviors and provide a source of meaning and satisfaction.
Key factors impacting parenthood and longevity
While studies show parents on average live longer, that doesn’t mean parenthood guarantees a longer and healthier life. How much lifespan benefit someone gets from having kids appears influenced by many factors.
For example, the longevity boost seen in fathers depends on maintaining family relationships. Research shows divorced dads lose their mortality advantage. Actively parenting and emotionally investing in children’s lives seems key.
Financial resources also play a major role. The stresses of providing for children likely accumulate over time. Low-income parents face amplified risks to longevity from poor healthcare access, subpar nutrition, and unsafe living conditions.
Support systems for parents are crucial too. Those lacking family support or suffering chronic loneliness face higher health risks from the strains of child-rearing. Shared childcare and household duties within families promote better outcomes.
In essence, simply having children does not automatically increase lifespan. To get longevity benefits from parenthood, parents need access to social and economic resources to reduce parenting stresses. With the right supports in place, raising children may motivate better lifestyle choices.
Conclusion
In summary, research on the longevity impacts of parenthood show mixed results. Some studies find no difference, while others show parents outliving childless adults, particularly for fathers.
Potential reasons for increased parental longevity include stronger life purpose, better mental health, tighter family bonds, and reduced risky behaviors. But parenthood stresses like sleep deprivation, chronic stress, poor self-care, and physical tolls counteract these benefits.
Overall, it seems raising children can influence longevity in either direction depending on socioeconomic factors. With access to resources and extended family support, parenthood’s purpose and satisfactions may confer health advantages. But when support systems are lacking, parenthood stresses could impair long-term health.
More research is still needed to clarify how family size, birth timing, partnerships, and other factors modify the longevity impacts of raising children.
Table 1. Summary of research findings on parenthood and longevity
| Study | Findings |
|---|---|
| 2011 meta-analysis | No overall longevity difference between parents and non-parents. Fathers had lower mortality than childless men. |
| 2020 UK Biobank analysis | Mothers had 4.2% lower mortality than childless women. Fathers had 8.6% lower mortality than childless men. |
| 2004 study on family size | Parents with 4+ children had shorter lifespans than those with 1-3 children. |
| 2020 UK Biobank analysis | Number of children did not impact longevity. |
| 2018 study on parental age | Women: lowest mortality with first birth age 25-35. Men: lowest mortality with first birth age 30-39. |
| 2016 study on grandparents | Having grandchildren associated with 37% lower mortality risk. |
Overall, the research presents a complex picture without definitive answers yet on how raising children impacts lifespan. Many socioeconomic factors and family dynamics appear to shape the longevity effects of parenthood.