How soon is too soon? That's the question being asked by many twentysomething couples struggling to decide whether it's time to become parents--or to take the next step in their respective careers. This Washington Post article explores the dilemma faced by young parents raising children during their 20s. According to demographic data obtained by The Post, the education level of the parents may play a large role in determining the age at which couples choose to conceive. The data indicate that in metro areas nationwide, including cities and suburbs, 13 percent of men and 31 percent of women ages 25 to 29 with four-year degrees have had children. On the other hand, 49 percent of men and 62 percent of women in that same age group--but with less education--have had children. Data from the National Center for Health Statistics is in agreement with those findings, showing that college-educated mothers are usually about 30 years old when they have their first child.  "This is very significant data. It's giving numbers to a trend people have been only inferring," said Stephanie Coontz, director of research at the Council on Contemporary Families.

Though some young parents see raising children in their 20s as a challenge, others see it as an advantage. A law firm associate says by having children earlier than the norm, she'll be able to commit to becoming partner at the appropriate time since her children will be older. "By the time I'm at a point in my career where I am going to be making partner, my kids are going to be old enough to be playing on their own and sleeping on their own," said Erin Foley Lewis, a 28-year-old associate at the law firm Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft who recently had twins.