Final answer:
Childbearing as an economic decision leads to fewer children as women gain educational and work opportunities, and due to the high cost of raising children that competes with professional and financial goals.
Step-by-step explanation:
When viewing childbearing as an economic decision, there are five significant implications for fertility. To discuss two in detail, the first implication involves educational and economic opportunities for females. As women gain more access to higher education and career prospects, they often choose to have fewer children, focusing instead on professional development and personal autonomy.
The second detailed implication pertains to the cost of raising a child. The financial requirement spans a range that can reach into hundreds of thousands of dollars, which can deter couples who face high-demand careers or prioritize economic stability from choosing to become parents. This economic pressure is further compounded in areas where work-life balance is skewed heavily towards professional commitments.