– I always knew that I wanted to be a young mother. That’s what 21-year-old Leona Jespersen says. In November 2023, she became a mother for the first time. She is going against a clear Norwegian trend: In 2023, the average age of first-time mothers was 30.3 years. This shows completely recent figures from Statistics Norway (SSB). This is an increase of 0.1 from the previous year. The age of 30.3 years is the highest Statistics Norway has ever registered. THE UNMODERN: Leona thinks it is more modern to wait to have children. Photo: Hedda Westby / news Choose “non-traditional” The couple rents an apartment in Bergen, they do not have a car with a child seat for their son and Leona has no higher education. She lives on leave money and her partner is currently out of work. Nevertheless, there is only prosperity at home for the small family. – We have no idea what we are going to do, but we will find out along the way. There is always a solution. Now we live exactly the way we want to live, says Jespersen and looks down at the little one. Biological benefits – I really want to spend time with my children and for them to spend time with me. That is one of the reasons why I wanted children when I was young, smiles Jespersen. YOUNG MOTHER: Two and a half months ago, Leona became the mother of a little boy. Photo: Hedda Westby Leona wants to “bother and be active” while the children are growing up. – You have more energy when you’re young. I want to be fit enough to ski, go on long mountain walks, swim and play with my children, she says, adding: – The body is not as healthy, fresh and fast when you are older. There is a reason why you are more fertile when you are young, she believes. BIOLOGY: Leona points out that you are most fertile when you are young, and thinks there is a reason for that. Photo: Hedda Westby / news Do young people think too much? For Leona, children have always been a priority for her, but she is understanding of other people’s choices. – It’s scary to be a parent too, so I understand that many choose to find things out first. Having a house and a job first, and then deciding to have children, Jespersen explains. What do you think is a good age to have your first child? Before turning 25 25-30 years 30-35 years Older than 35 Show result – Do you think many young people today think too much? – Yes, I absolutely think so. – More time and effort Being a young mother can bring advantages. – The younger you are, the more time and energy you have to adapt your child’s everyday life. You may not have as many obligations, says Kristin Vo, emergency physician at Drammen Hospital, who is herself pregnant in her early thirties. The child will benefit from a young mother. – When growing up, the child can get more pleasure from being with his mother, because she has the stamina to invent things, says Vo. Vo emphasizes that this depends on one’s life situation. But one thing is certain: – Biologically, you are more fertile and there is less risk of malformations and chromosomal errors. WIDE RANGE: Vo is also a PT and online coach, as well as an emergency physician at Drammen Hospital. Photo: Thomas Brun Nevertheless, there are positive aspects to being an older mother as well, believes Vo. – Usually you are more mature and established, and you have more room for finances to give the child what he wants. First-time mothers are getting older The trend we are now seeing started 14 years ago, according to Statistics Norway. – In 2010, the numbers started to increase. They have increased from 28 years to over 30 years in this period. This is quite a strong increase, says Lars Dommermuth, researcher at Statistics Norway (SSB). Career focus is one reason for the increased average age. – The proportion of people taking higher education is increasing. In Norway, most people want to finish their education and be in work before they have their first child. We see that it has become even more important for women to stay longer at work. Then the age at first birth also increases, he continues. STRONG INCREASE: Dommermuth believes one of the reasons is career focus. Photo: Statistics Norway 2020 was probably the last time Norway saw that the average age was below 30 years. The researcher believes the trend will not reverse. – I don’t think we will see a decline. At best, I think we will reach a stable age, says Dommermuth. Would have chosen differently Anne Lise Thorsen was 43 years old when she became a mother for the first time. – If you had to choose again, would you have had children earlier? – Yes, I think I had. CAREER: Anne Lise put her career first when she started studying to become a nurse. Photo: Hedda Westby / news Thorsen chose to study when she finished school. She then worked for many years. – In my plan, finances and work came first, she says. When she turned 40, she noticed that something was missing. – The years increased, and I thought “I don’t want to grow old alone”, says Thorsen. In 2018, she became the mother of identical twin boys. – I wouldn’t be them without them, she smiles. STEADY IN CHOICE: Even if Anne Lise could choose again and have children earlier, she would never choose to lose her twin boys. Photo: Hedda Westby / news “Everything is in order” At Anne Lise’s house in Askøy, “everything is in order”. She has a house, a car and is employed. – I would recommend getting your finances in place before you have children, says Thorsen. Despite the fact that Anne Lise has the practicalities in place, there is one thought that often lingers: – I think about the fact that I will be 83 years old when they are 40. I don’t know how long I will live, and how my health will be, says she. Biology vs. economy Thorsen had challenges during her pregnancy. She suffered pre-eclampsia and pelvic problems. – I think it would have been different to be pregnant at 20, she smiles. ADVANTAGE: Thorsen believes she was better equipped psychologically to have children when she was 43 than she would have been in her 20s. Photo: PRIVATE Thorsen points to the psyche as an advantage of having children at an older age. – You cope with challenges better when you are a little older. Now I am much more confident, that is certainly an advantage, she says. What age you are when you have children determines which benefit you get, Thorsen believes. – What do you choose? The psyche and the economy, or biology?
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– I have always known that I want to be a young mother – news Vestland
