Career or child, hmm, why is that not a hard choice for me? For me, a career is a means to an end not the end in itself.
while the other is never around ... how enriching.
But I am around...I don't travel. I suppose our family income is about a third of what it could be if we went full bore for money. I don't miss it one bit. Kids are better.
I guess the other option is to not have children at all. I'll take the "stupid" route thank you.
One shouldn't have children if he is not prepared to orient his lifestyle around having children. Children aren't expensive, but certain lifestyles are expensive with children.
You go your way and I'll go mine ... both routes have advantages. I don't see it as being black and white.
I concur with you as long as career is equated to income.
Once your career revolves around R&D (like mine) and you want to make a difference in the world and for your nation it is not so easy anymore. To get this country ahead in the world you need to live and breathe your area of research. If my wife and I had children I would either fall behind in my area of expertise, or my children would see me as the guy who sometimes comes home in time for supper.