In New Mexico, family has always been the heartbeat of our communities—a tradition of togetherness that binds generations and defines our culture. Yet, even here, Millennials and Gen Z hesitate to start families, shaped by rapid cultural shifts and economic pressures. To honor our heritage and inspire the next generation, I launched the Family Month Project, a call for a New Mexico and National Family Month between Mother’s Day and Father’s Day each year. Our goal is to gather 50,000 signatures to urge Washington to establish this month, creating a dedicated time for government organizations, non-profits, and businesses to celebrate family pride, foster healing, and promote growth.
Despite New Mexico’s deep-rooted family values, young adults face challenges that make parenthood daunting. Nationally, U.S. birthrates are at an historic low, with women expected to have just 1.7 children on average—below the 2.1 needed to sustain a population without immigration. This trend, seen in prosperous nations, is driven by increased education, career demands, delayed marriage, and economic burdens like housing and childcare costs. In the U.S., the average age of first-time mothers has risen to 27, with urban moms averaging 32, up from 21 in 1970. Only 50–55% of first-time moms are married, and 23% of U.S. children live in single-parent households—the highest rate globally—often under economic strain that discourages family growth.
Millennials and Gen Z are redefining family, yet their aspirations clash with modern realities. They seek to provide their children with the security they cherished, often envisioning dual-career households supported by costly daycare ($10,000–$20,000 annually). However, student debt and rising housing costs make this vision elusive. Shaped by instability from climate change fears, shifting gender norms, and the COVID-19 pandemic, they also grapple with the optimism inherent in building a family.
Yet, in New Mexico - where family gatherings, multigenerational homes, and cultural traditions strengthen our bonds - we can lead the way. With the last legislative session having honored a “New Mexico Family Day,” New Mexicans would amplify this spirit by joining in the National Family Month Movement; encouraging government agencies to offer family-support programs, non-profits to provide resources for healing and growth, and businesses to promote family-friendly policies. This collective focus would surround families with a powerful message: families are worth cultivating and healing. By signing the Family Month petition, New Mexicans can honor our legacy of family pride and empower young adults to build stable, loving homes.
With Mother’s Day 2025 behind us and Father’s Day ahead, let’s rally our communities—from Albuquerque to Las Cruces, from the pueblos to the plains—to gather 50,000 signatures and make Family Month a reality. Together, we can create a future where every New Mexican family is celebrated, supported, and inspired to thrive, carrying our cherished traditions forward for generations to come. Sign up at: https://chng.it/7TJzDMpBsy or http://familymonthproject.com.
Anne Nygren Doherty is the founder of the Family Month Project, advocating for the celebration of family origins between Mother's Day and Father's Day to strengthen family bonds and honor personal histories.
