[tivert]

>> Humans don't breed when their own lives are precarious and it's rational and realistic to assume the lives of their kids will be even more so.

> I do not think this is a generally true notion. There are so many people living in precarious circumstances in large parts of Africa, Asia and South America. But the highest population growth is right there.

Yes, but wealthy technological society enables it, because modern birth control technology is what makes reproduction so much of a choice.

In earlier times and in less developed places, if you really wanted to be "child free" you'd have to take much more extreme actions, like adopting celibacy or being OK with infanticide.

[generic92034]

Birth control, yes, but also the existence of credible pension plans. If your survival in your old age solely depends on the family you probably tend to make sure there are several candidates for sustaining you.