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"Are you suggesting that the primary reason to have children is that you will have someone to take care of you when you grow old?

Speaking of selfish motivations."

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Until recently that is how most American families survived. You had lots of children and it was their responsibility to take care of the parents when they got old. This was before 401k's, IRA's and other retirement plans but for much of American history, children served as the parents social security. This was especially common with farming families.

The fact that we do not do this to the same degree today is a sad commentary on our society. Throughout Asia this is still the practice with three or more generations of family living together. I have been asked by many Asians about the American penchant for sending elderly parents to nursing homes for others to take care of them. They just don't understand how we could do that to our parents. I see far too many people here who look at their parents as a burden in old age and refuse to offer much assistance to them.

Your points about Asia are well taken. HOwever, many, if not most American elderly do want social security so they don't have to be maintained by their kids. That's why social security reform is such a molotov cocktail with the senior vote.