[dionidium]

> Decades ago...

Even if we accept the (I think dubious) claim that we're worse off than people were in the 1950s (or whatever) there's thousands of years of procreation that precede that one specific comparison. Those people had it much worse than we do and they had many more children.

[afavour]

I never understand perspectives like these. The OP's statement was "having children is not expensive". How does "people had it worse a thousand years ago" relate to that? Surely by that logic we can't take issue with any facet of modern life?

[dionidium]

No, you misunderstood. If somebody says, "I have only $10, I can't afford to do X" then the existence of millions of people who did X on $6 is directly relevant. It's not an abstract appeal to, "perk up, people used to have it worse!" It's a refutation of an explicit claim.

[afavour]

You don't think that's a simplistic analysis? For that to be true all external factors would have to remain constant and they obviously haven't.

[dionidium]

Yes, it's very simplistic, but I think directionally correct.