The above question would never arise in an earlier generation. In the olden days children were married even before they knew the meaning of it. I am told of a generation when the girl and the boy were to be called from the middle of their daily play time along with other children, reprimanded for playing even on the wedding day, dressed up and got married. Gone are those days for good.
Nowadays the educational years are long enough that the thought of marriage and talk about it begin while one is still in college. Practical wisdom come to play and one is prepared to think of marriage only after one gets a good job after education, which fetches remuneration enough to support oneself, his spouse and encumbrances thereof.
When a parent sees that the offspring is comfortably settled in a steady job he/she is told that now he/she should opt for marriage. And the usual process of bride/ bridegroom searching follows if the offspring has not spotted one already. If everything goes well the knot is tied and the couple lives “Happily ever after”. Hope so.
Sometimes the parent is in for a surprise when the offspring says he/she does not want to marry. The parents may think it is a passing phase and their heir will fall for it one day or other. The surprise ends when years pass by and they realize that it is for real.
It is up to the parent/s to explain to the youngster that they are not going to live ever and loneliness will befall on the youngster and will find it difficult to spend his/her evening years alone. More so for a female. Money cannot hire a dependable aid as a wedlock can create. Even a living in relationship may not last a lifetime.
So is the case with married couples who decide not to have children. Youngsters with high aspirations opt not to be burdened with childbirth and associated encumbrances which will stand in their way in climbing the corporate ladder without hold back. Soon the middle age will dawn and yearning for affection and love may not yield result.
Moral: Procreate more, surround yourself with a big family, and enjoy the limitless joy of love.