> When womens’ roles revolve more around children, the status and social currency of having them goes up, and so often it has been my observation that the women are the bigger driver (as opposed to “the patriarchy”).

That's just another way of saying the same thing. In societies where non-childbearing-women are not valued, of _course_ having children increases your place in society.

Patriachy isn't men dictating every action of every individual, it's structuring society so that the only real choice is the one that benefits the ruling class.