40+ WF Seeks Childless Professional Existence

The percentage of childless American women aged 40-44 years doubled during the last 30 years—from 10% to 20%—according to 2006 survey data released yesterday by the US Census Bureau. The survey also revealed that women of this age group had an average of 1.9 children, which is below "replacement level," and 13.5% had never married.

Childless women were more likely to be 40-something non-Hispanic whites (22.5%), be native born (21.4%), and have a graduate or professional degree (27.4%).

Not sure what any of this has to do with the price of tea in China—other than 1) it might provide you're-not-alone solace to 40-something childless women and 2) it might signal the time to learn Mandarin or Spanish.