"Too many good, productive people were tricked into pursuing their careers in the 70s and 80s rather than starting families."
Ohhhh nooooo! We were economically PRODUCTIVE! What were we THINKING? ;-D
There are lots of ups and downs, no matter what choice you make. Parents have greater expenses and greater heartaches when their offspring are growing up, but they can expect some degree of support from those offspring in old age.
Childless people have more money as the result, but they don't have the social buffer zone that kids provide. But knowing that, they often put away enough money to ensure their prosperity in their old age.
And ya have to. I don't want to have to depend on this guy's kids when I'm old.