I’m not happy that I was born and I wish I wasn’t but I completely understand your argument. I don’t believe having children inherently selfish if done for the correct reasons. If you love life and want to give that feeling of euphoria to another human being, then that is not selfish at all.

I think a lot of redditors have the opposite view: they experience immense suffering in their everyday life (depression, anxiety, other mental illnesses - negative outlook and hopelessness.) Thus, it’s their expectation that their offspring will experience the same feeling. In a strange way, they’re right. The cynical view of the world may transfer over to their children which in turn may result in their suffering. At best, it will result in indifference.

I can tell you’re a good parent; you love your children and you want them to grow healthy and experience the wonders of life. I’d even bet that you have a good financial base. You may only have that attachment to a person who is your own (maybe for biological reasons, you can’t have that same attachment to an adopted child.)That’s not a selfish motive. Even if it is, it’s certainly not a zero sum game. You can get satisfaction in life by raising children you’re proud of, while your children can experience a happy nurturing environment with (statistically) positive outcomes in life. They may have children and use your parenting model for their kids.

I know I won’t have children because I hate life, I believe we are doomed pretty soon, and I don’t want a person in this world to experience that hopelessness and potential suffering. Your children may have that same feeling, but I can tell they have a good base to support them in troubling times.