It always slays me when 'conservatives' get all preachy and declare that the point of having children is so that they can be exploited for the benefit of older generations. Oh, they rarely state it quite like that, but that is what they are saying.
Having children for the purpose of extracting some future benefit is the epitome of being self-centered -- fine moral stance, that. Like all the geezers who think that their children and grandchildren should be forced to pay for their Viagra.
In any event, that is not my position, and that is not what I said, so your grievance, although perhaps justifiable, is misdirected. I outlined the benefits that society derived has from having healthy and numerous offspring. That was in response to someone's statement to the contrary. I did NOT say that derivation of those benefits is the purpose of having children.
Thank you for you comment.
There are immediate benefits to having children. They make you humble. They push you to be more than you ever thought you could be, because they challenge you. They allow you to do childish things again, without feeling stupid about doing them. (When is the last time you finger painted, played with play dough or built a fort or snow man?) Having children is in some ways a refresher course in the greatest simple joys in life.
You make an excellent point. Being a parent isn't for everyone. And most generations of people became parents for the exact reasons you stated. That doesn't mean they didn't love their children, but their actions came from self-interest. Arranged marriages, indentured servitude, and child labor of the past prove that.
People who raise children and do a good job deserve commendation and support, but that doesn't mean that everyone should do it.