Liz Allen, Laura Henshaw, Gina Rushton, moderated by Avani Dias

As more potential parents question the ethics of bringing a child into the world, is opting out of reproduction a generational trend or a sign of the times?

Deciding whether or not to become a parent is a deeply personal and totally life-changing choice. But the politics around parenthood are also entering the conversation, with many questioning the impact that raising kids has on everything from financial stability to climate change.

These big-picture consequences are increasingly a factor when contemplating the future – with or without a baby on board. With birth rates dropping, social division becoming more polarised and a general sense of uncertainty looming over many, it’s no wonder that people are thinking again about if procreating is the right thing to do.

This panel seeks the answers about why so many women are voting with their uteruses and opting out of reproducing.