Well, it used to be that a lot of kids meant you had a lot of free help, like on the farm and such. But raising kids successfully without them dying is the only part that has gotten easier. Everything else about marriage and parenthood has become more complicated. Marriage used to be a good way to have a healthy division of labor. Now its a total asset management gamble because you're always one divorce away from losing half of everything you own and a life with your children.