> I think the question of whether or not to have kids should not be addressed from a financial standpoint. Instead you should ask yourself: "Is being successful in my career more important to me than raising happy children who can contribute to society?" If the answer is yes for both husband and wife (and I think a long-term, legally-committed relationship between the parents is a major factor in raising happy kids), then maybe you shouldn't have kids. No problem.

Exactly, the financial factor does not play a strong role in the decision to have children. Once someone wants to have a child, all other factors become irrelevant (for good, or for bad... for people that get to have 5 children and do not have enough money to maintain them). As you say, the joy kids bring to these people cannot be measured in terms of money.

OTOH, for people who do not want to have children (like me, at this time), there is no way to 'convince' that it is worth it.