I can see how you would read it that way, but when I wrote it, I meant it more as a tie-in to the sentence before it: > In my opinion, the greatest disservice

I can see how you would read it that way, but when I wrote it, I meant it more as a tie-in to the sentence before it: > In my opinion, the greatest disservice we do to the young is shielding them from the reality that life comes to an end and it's going to pass by whether you are ready for it or not. > Adulthood is basically accepting that there are things you want / need to do, even though you are afraid or uncertain how they will turn out. I think no matter what your goals in life, there is a need to actually get around to them rather than waiting for "someday." For me, it was having children. For others, maybe it's something else. > Having children is not an essential end goal for life Having children is actually an essential end goal of life. Without children there is no life. That doesn't mean everyone needs to make that choice though.