The cost of having children in the US is climbing exponentially — here are 5 charts that prove it

The cost of having children in the US has climbed exponentially since the 1960s.In 2015, American parents spent, on average, $233,610 on child costs from birth until the age of 17, not including college. Researchers argue that the recent decrease in birthrate has as much to do with the Great Recession in 2008 as it does with the increase of women who are not willing to sacrifice their careers for family.Researchers have also found a growing trend of men and women who become single parents by choice.The cost of having children in the US has climbed exponentially since the 1960s. So it's no wonder the growing crop of Democratic presidential candidates have been proposing ways to address or bring down the costs tied to raising a family.Most recently, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren said she wants to provide universal access to child care. According to her proposal, the US would partner with local governments and other organizations to provide various child care options, paying for it with revenue from her wealth tax.Read more: 5 mistakes I made when I had my second child, and how to avoid themWhether or not Warren's proposal becomes law, the data show a worsening problem. In 2015, American parents spent, on average, US $233,610 on child costs from birth until the age of 17, not including college. This number covers everything from housing and food to child care and transportation costs. This is up 8% from 1990.As a mother myself, as well as a sociologist who studies families, I have experienced firsthand the unexpected costs associated with having a child. And this spike in costs has broad implications, including leading fewer families to have children.