> Almost every couple I know who is not having kids makes good $$. It's my friends who make less and are more working class (and work longer hours at that) are

> Almost every couple I know who is not having kids makes good $$. It's my friends who make less and are more working class (and work longer hours at that) are the ones having kids. Those you see making good money, if they intend to have kids, are probably holding off until they feel they're ready (I'm in this group myself). Couples who aren't earning much might feel that someday may never come and have kids since they're going to be somewhat financially stressed either way, plus some in that group have kids as a way to add some meaning and motivation to keep on with the everyday grind. That said, the answer to population problems clearly not to make more people impoverished, but rather to bring the bar of "ready of kids" down to a level that's accessible by more people more quickly.