I grew up in the 60's and 70's in a middle-class family. Moms generally didn't work until maybe the mid 70's. In my family, there was no "allowance" and no extra money, so anything we (kids) wanted, we had to work for: babysitting and mowing yards starting at 12, working at a grocery store at 15 (I remember because my mom had to drive me to work), etc. You want a new bike, you save for it and buy it. I started working at 12 and never stopped until I took a breather in my early 30's and could afford to not work a few months.
It seems to me that many kids of the last couple of middle-class generations were raised in 2-income families that could be more generous with their kids. My nephews for example didn't work much until their 20's, didn't work during college (only summers), had nicer cars, went on vacations, etc.
I know "kids" who are now 30, working at restaurants or bars, sharing apartments, maybe don't have a car, are walking to work, and use DoorDash because they don't have a car to get food and/or groceries (they don't know how to cook either, because never learned while growing up).
Way different upbringings. A lot of young adults who do have money don't want kids because they are used to having and spending money and are smart enough to realize that kids will greatly cramp their lifestyle. The ones who are struggling know they can't afford kids: they're barely staying afloat themselves.
It seems to me that many kids of the last couple of middle-class generations were raised in 2-income families that could be more generous with their kids. My nephews for example didn't work much until their 20's, didn't work during college (only summers), had nicer cars, went on vacations, etc.
I know "kids" who are now 30, working at restaurants or bars, sharing apartments, maybe don't have a car, are walking to work, and use DoorDash because they don't have a car to get food and/or groceries (they don't know how to cook either, because never learned while growing up).
Way different upbringings. A lot of young adults who do have money don't want kids because they are used to having and spending money and are smart enough to realize that kids will greatly cramp their lifestyle. The ones who are struggling know they can't afford kids: they're barely staying afloat themselves.