In Defense of Parenthood - new research suggests children makes you happy [pdf]

"married parents did not differ in satisfaction or happiness from married people without children, but unmarried parents reported lower happiness and satisfaction than their childless counterparts"

In Study 2, the discussion section points out the selection bias inherent in this particular investigation. "... happier people may be more likely to become parents. If parenting is related to well-being, then parents should experience more positive states when they are taking care of their children than when engaging in their other daily activities."

Study 2 does not distinguish between individuals who chose to have children willingly vs those who were pressured into having children by people or circumstances around them. People who actually want children may be the largest group of people with children, or at least the largest group among those sampled.

Study 3 is perhaps the most subjective investigation method. The main finding is that people associate the actual act of child care-taking with high "meaning in life". This is the parroting of a cliche. Sure, versus watching TV and reading reddit, playing with your kid is going to seem highly meaningful. Individuals who choose not to have children (operative word: choose) usually do so because they replace that time with something meaningful to them, e.g. writing, research, travel, a more demanding career.

Religious individuals rightfully find time spent on church and prayer meaningful; atheists find this time could be better spent on other things.

All this is to say, I wouldn't conclude from this set of studies that "children make you happy", and thus everyone should rush to have them. Instead, I might suggest you ponder whether you truly want children -- ignoring this study or others like it. If the answer is an emphatic "yes" -- despite the financial, emotional, and time requirements -- then, by all means, do. But if the answer is a hesitant "yes" or a firm "no", then, I might suggest you reconsider.

And, if at all possible, when you do have your child, try not to be smug about it to those individuals who chose to live their life childless. Their choice is just as valid as yours.

Me too. My kid is the best thing ever, from a guy who never wanted kids.

We've evolved to have kids and protect them, that's obviously necessary. The way that plays out is that kids bond to their parents, and that bond is expressed as love, and man what a great thing to be loved by your kid.

Looks like "you" means "fathers":

[...] analyses revealed that parenthood was associated with greater satisfaction and happiness only among fathers.

Ouch.