I have a few ideas. I think it differs depending on the person and the situation, but I have a lot of friends with children and come from a very big family and these are the major reasons I have noticed.
One reason people have children is because they are irresponsible. LOL. They don't consciously decide to have a child as much as they consciously decide not to terminate a pregnancy after it has happened. At least half of my friends had their first children on accident. Be it irresponsible behavior or faulty birth control, they didn't set out intending to have children, but once they were faced with the choice to either have a child that was already there or terminate a pregnancy, they chose to have the child.
Another reason is to give life meaning. Having children makes a lot of people feel important. Like they have created something extraordinary and completely unique. Like they have made a profound difference in the world and to others lives. Having children puts life into a context that wouldn't be there without them. Without children (having them and being one), the world would be only what you experience during your lifetime. With them, life is everything before and after your lifetime as well. It gives life continuance and significance.
I think the more important question people should ask is "Why do I want to have kids?" Maybe if more people would ask that, then more kids would be born into loving homes instead of the abusive and unhealthy homes they are born into now.
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