This paper examines the reasons behind the postponement of first births in Western societies and evaluates the effectiveness of social policy incentives in countering these trends. The authors find that the central reasons for this postponement include the rise of effective contraception, increased female education and labor market participation, value changes, gender equity, partnership changes, housing conditions, economic uncertainty, and the absence of supportive family policies. The study also reviews various social policies, such as direct cash payments, indirect transfers, improving work-family compatibility, and inadvertent policy effects, and concludes that policies aimed at reducing the incompatibility between work and mother roles are more effective in promoting younger ages at first birth. The paper highlights the importance of both economic incentives and broader cultural and attitudinal factors in shaping the timing of childbearing.This paper examines the reasons behind the postponement of first births in Western societies and evaluates the effectiveness of social policy incentives in countering these trends. The authors find that the central reasons for this postponement include the rise of effective contraception, increased female education and labor market participation, value changes, gender equity, partnership changes, housing conditions, economic uncertainty, and the absence of supportive family policies. The study also reviews various social policies, such as direct cash payments, indirect transfers, improving work-family compatibility, and inadvertent policy effects, and concludes that policies aimed at reducing the incompatibility between work and mother roles are more effective in promoting younger ages at first birth. The paper highlights the importance of both economic incentives and broader cultural and attitudinal factors in shaping the timing of childbearing.