[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.