Another reason for having children other than just because that's the default is that if you manage to make it to old age, the ones most likely to take care of

Another reason for having children other than just because that's the default is that if you manage to make it to old age, the ones most likely to take care of you are your children. This reason tends to not be as forceful when a social safety net is in place. Another use for children is as a cheap workforce for a family business. Child labor laws tend to discourage this, and there aren't as many family businesses anyway.