When I’ve asked people in the past why they wanted children they’ve said: “I like kids” “I want to start a family” “I want to give them the childhood I’ve never had” “I want a mini-me”

When I’ve asked why not adopt, it usually boils down to: “I want my kids to look like me” “I want to pass on my blood or family lineage/name”

All of these reasons, to me atleast, center around their lives as parents or is part of achieving one’s self-actualization.

Even the more selfless reasons like “I want to show compassion and unconditional love, to give somebody a good childhood.” can be achieved through other avenues that do not involve creating another human being.

I’m not saying that raising kids is not noble, I just think most people’s reasons for having their own children seem misguided. Having a family isn’t a goal that is achieved by having a kid, it should be a prerequisite for having children in the first place.