NoNameProf

kids, in the old days, are insurance for old age and foot soldiers for the family. clearly cost benefit analysis can be done to derive an optimal number.

well, this is no longer a dominant (or even a) reason for having kids, and that certainly make finding the answer to this question a much harder task. are you having kids to (1) preserve your gene pool? — in that case, 1 is most likely enough; (2) demonstrate your ability to others, whatever that might be? — again, 1 is enough (3) for other people (your parents, etc)? — 1 again, (4) for kids themselves (so they have people to play with)? — most likely 2 (5) social norm? — 2-3; (6) balance of gender — given the randomness, most likely 3. by the time you get to 3, you either have kids for both gender, or you give up; … if none of these are important to you, clearly 0 is the optimal number.