If you want to talk history, people would have 15-20 kids, 4 would survive to adulthood, and would be put to work in the fields to support the family. Daughters would often be abandoned or killed at birth because they were considered a burden. Developed countries have lower birth rates because (1) they don't need the extra labor and (2) more women have careers and don't want to keep popping out kids. None of it has anything to do with children being a "gift". Practical concerns have always and will always win out.
We don't even need to speculate. Ask married couples in the US who are eager to start a family what they are waiting for, and better financial security will be #1 on the list.
We don't even need to speculate. Ask married couples in the US who are eager to start a family what they are waiting for, and better financial security will be #1 on the list.