American actor and podcast host Dax Shepard has ignited a fierce online debate after sharing a personal conversation about fertility with his 11-year-old daughter. The revelation, made on his popular podcast, has drawn criticism from some who found the discussion inappropriate.
A Father's Supportive Offer
During the January 5 episode of his show Armchair Expert, Shepard recounted a talk with his younger daughter, Delta, who is 11. Shepard shares Delta and her 12-year-old sister, Lincoln, with his wife, actress Kristen Bell. The conversation began when Delta expressed her future desire to become a mother.
Shepard explained his approach was to be supportive, not judgmental. He asked Delta at what age she imagined having her first child, to which she indicated she was not planning on teenage motherhood. Assuming she might then wait until her 30s or 40s, Shepard made a surprising offer.
"I said, 'If you want to, we’ll freeze your eggs when you’re 18. I’ll pay for you to get your eggs frozen, so you don’t have to think about that'," Shepard told his podcast audience. He later acknowledged the financial privilege of such an offer, stating it wasn't an option for most people.
Online Backlash and 'Creepy' Comments
While Shepard intended the exchange as an act of supportive parenting, his comments triggered a strong negative reaction from a portion of his listeners and social media users. Many labelled the conversation as ill-timed and misplaced for a child of Delta's age.
"That made my skin crawl! Not the conversation to have with your 11-year-old daughter," one person wrote online. Another added, "That this would even be an appropriate conversation with your 11-year-old is just beyond."
Critics questioned why the focus wasn't on more age-appropriate topics for an 11-year-old. "Why not talk to your daughter about getting an education first, being able to support herself first, and getting married first," commented one social media user.
Context and Family Perspective
Shepard provided context for the discussion, describing their family life as a "travelling circus of Delty’s stuffies," noting her large collection of stuffed toys dominates their luggage. He framed his offer as a practical solution to a potential future dilemma between career and family.
"I think they’re going to be wrestling with the same thing every woman is — you’re going to want to do your career or whatever the hell," Shepard said.
Interestingly, Delta herself found her father's suggested timeline of having children in her 30s or 40s to be "crazy" and "too old." From her 11-year-old perspective, that age seemed like 80. She is currently thinking of starting a family in her mid-20s.
The episode has highlighted the complex and often controversial conversations modern parents navigate regarding their children's futures, technology, and societal expectations.
