I agree that it is now, as it has been, a status symbol... and an expected right of passage for humans. I also agree that ANYONE that pressures another person into having a child, is borderline psychotic. The responsibility of raising a child in todays world is not one that should be taken lightly. It should be a 100% mutual decision between TWO adults... the TWO that will be responsible for caring for the child.

With that said... I think we tend to overlook the impact of primal instinct. It has been a part of the human mind since "intelligent" man started on the Earth. In the case of parents pressuring their children to HAVE children could be explained by the desire to sustain their particular bloodline, and ensure the survival of their family. Also, it could be a primal desire to sustain mankind as a whole... the instinct not specifically confined to their families future. Of course, there are individual circumstances that take place in a persons life that will turn that subconscious primal desire into a hyperactive dedication to emotionally "force" their children into parenthood... hence the modern day overbearing parents. We tend to underestimate how centuries of natural events and taught lessons can shape humanity down the line. I think this could have a little something to do with it.

Another example of this primal instinct in todays world is our natural reactions to night time and darkness. We experience involuntary fear (some more than others), in part, due to our ancestors justifiable fear of the night... since that is when the majority of predators came out to hunt. Just something to think about. I like to think about stuff...

When I'm :jointsmile: