The modern pursuit of parenthood is increasingly defined by external dependencies, according to Anna Louie Sussman’s book, 'Inconceivable: The Impossibility of Family in an Age of Uncertainty.' Sussman argues that starting a family is no longer a private endeavor but a 'collaborative venture' that requires navigating a web of doctors, employers, insurance companies, and legislators. The book suggests that the current landscape makes family formation difficult, if not impossible, for many people.

Sussman’s analysis touches on the broader cultural conversation surrounding fertility, noting that public figures like Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have brought visibility to the process by documenting personal experiences like egg freezing. The narrative posits that the fertility industry has stepped in to fill gaps, often promising solutions to those struggling to conceive. However, the book emphasizes that these promises are often complicated by the uncertainty of the current age. While the text focuses on the structural barriers to reproduction, it raises a fundamental question: is the decline in birth rates a result of it being objectively harder to have children, or a shift in the desire to have them? The book suggests that the two factors are deeply intertwined, as the high cost and systemic hurdles of modern life influence personal choices about family planning.