Hacker News Reader

When you're not dating someone seriously, you're asked if there is anyone special in the picture.

When you are dating someone for a while, you're asked if this is the one.

When you've made that official, you're asked if there is any news, children-wise.

There's a lot of societal pressure from family and friends to have kids or risk being perceived as a disappointment or failure.

If none of that was there, fewer people might have kids.

View on HN

I sometimes wonder whether this pressure is exerted because children are the main way one's parents, grandparents and extended family can stay relevant in one's life.

I've heard that there might be some evolutionary biological reasons why families would be inclined to desire children and grandchildren... :)

Or you know, because with fewer children, it would be quite possible that neither those asking the question "why are children needed" would exist to pose it, nor the species in general.

I suspect it’s just fun to be a grandparent - I imagine it’s a tiny bit like being a parent, but nowhere near as intense, esp. regarding the stress and workload.

When you have 3 kids, your asked if you are going to have any more kids.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com