[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by legion

We shame people who are successful. As a result, the successful seek to appear less successful to relieve some guilt.

And I think the children thing is a direct result of Welfare, Medicaid, and all sorts of social programs for the poor.

I think that's a bit much. I'm proud of my success, moderate as it may be. I've worked hard for what I have, and feel no guilt as a result.

I would say that the kids thing, on the bottom, is a result of incentive programs that essentially encourage the poor to breed. More kids = more free money, that's all the parasites of society need to hear.

On the higher side of things, our society has changed a lot in the last 50 years. There are far more couples that both work, who don't want/can't afford to make the time and financial changes that kids require. We've become more selfish and materialistic as a whole, far more concern about me than we. There is far less of an emphasis on religion and family values, which tend to encourage having kids. Things are just far different than they were 50 years ago, and not entirely in a good way. My wife and kids are by far the greatest part of my life, drastically overshadowing all material possessions and personal achievements. Those that look down on the family life just don't know what they are missing.