Kevin O’Leary, a celebrated entrepreneur and investor recognized for his role on the hit reality show Shark Tank, has recently shared insights on the economic hurdles that can impact family planning. In a video released on April 21 via his official Instagram account, O’Leary discussed these challenges during an interview with Fox News.
When questioned about U.S. government proposals aimed at increasing the national birth rate—such as financial incentives for new parents and fertility support—O’Leary provided a candid perspective on the reasons behind delayed parenthood.
“You know, at the end of the day here, the reason people don’t have kids earlier, they’re expensive.”
His statement illustrates how financial considerations, including the escalating costs of living and education, are significant factors influencing when people choose to have children.
High Costs of Living Impacting Family Planning
In the Fox News segment, which O’Leary promoted on his Instagram, he responded to inquiries about recent initiatives discussed by former President Donald Trump’s team regarding strategies to encourage higher birth rates in the U.S. O’Leary maintained that the underlying economic pressures overwhelmingly contribute to why individuals are postponing family creation.
He underscored the notion that economic constraints are more influential than cultural or personal preferences, pointing out a global context where even countries like China are grappling with population growth and food security challenges.
“Even the Chinese for a while started to think, wait a second, how do we feed all these people?” he noted.
O’Leary linked the topic of family planning to broader economic shifts and geopolitical issues, proposing that policies related to trade and tariffs also shape societal choices regarding parenthood. Additionally, he reflected on his own family’s experiences, revealing how personal narratives have shaped his views.
“What you learn in life, which is kind of crazy, is when you get older, you realize you wish you had your kids earlier.”
Despite achieving financial success, O’Leary acknowledged that parenting demands intricate financial planning. He expressed:
“Family is the best thing you can get in America. And you want to have them early. And, you know, if I could go back in time, I would have had them a decade earlier.”
Navigating Financial Independence in Relationships
O’Leary’s insights extend beyond parenting; he advocates for financial independence within relationships. In another clip from a Fox News interview, he cautioned against merging finances with a partner.
“What I tell everybody to do in a relationship is: Have your own account, your own credit card — never merge your finances together,” he asserted. “I don’t care how in love you are, you keep your account to yourself.”
He believes that maintaining individual financial autonomy is crucial for safeguarding against credit damage and preserving each person’s financial identity. Furthermore, O’Leary adopts a systematic method for addressing financial requests from extended family members. In a YouTube discussion, he introduced his “one-time gift”strategy.
Rather than entering into ongoing financial obligations with relatives, he prefers to offer a single, unconditional monetary gift. For instance, if a family member sought $150,000 to start a restaurant, he might instead provide a one-time gift of $50,000.
O’Leary emphasized that such gifts should not be perceived as loans, but they do come with a stipulation: family members must agree not to request further assistance. He pointed out that this approach can help maintain financial stability and preserve harmony during family gatherings, avoiding awkward tensions that can arise from repeated financial requests.
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