The more educated and affluent Americans are starting families later and having fewer children. The couple visualizes passing on their values, beliefs and history to the next generation. The couple sees the sense of well being which radiates from today's rare well functioning families who are in our midst and want to bask in the glow of their own family. These couples should fight their biological, psychological and sociological urges, for having a child could be the most devastating de-vestment of their life. An investment of any type should not be made without factoring in all the costs.
Most affluent couples are well aware of the monetary downside of having a child.
These couples often miss the radical shifting of their person hood, the powerful force of parenting which needs to be adhered to, to have a healthy child. It means a husband and wife put aside their petty differences to support each other in this formidable task of creating the proper environment for the child's optimal development. Without the necessary commitment, dedication and sacrifice, parenthood will be a never ending nightmarish existence- the worst investment possible for two persons. Only through the uniting of two persons who are willing to leave their adolescent fantasies behind to enter a higher maturity and purpose is parenthood a wise investment for everyone involved, mother, father and child. The dividend of mature parenthood is discovery of self, life long bonds, meaningful purpose and immortality which comes from our children transmitting our values on to the next generation.