That’s a decision whose emotional motivation is usually mainly oxytocin IIUC.
I strongly doubt this, especially in men. I suspect it plays a role in promoting attachment to already-born kids but not in deciding to have them.
Oxytocin is one huge value-component which drives people to sink a large fraction of their attention and resources into local things which don’t pay off in anything much greater. It’s an easier alternative outlet to ambition. People can feel basically-satisfied with their mediocre performance in life so long as they feel that loving connection with the people around them, so they’re not very driven to move beyond mediocrity.
I know you are posting on LW which is a skewed audience, but most people are mediocre at most things and are unlikely to achieve great feats according to you, even with more ambition. Having a happy family is quite a reasonable ambition for most people. In fact, it is of the few things an everyday guy can do that “pays off in anything much greater” (i.e. the potential for a long generational line and family legacy).
(Also consider that stereotypically, women are the ones who spend the most effort on domestic and child-related matters, and are also less likely to be on the far right of bell curves.)
I strongly doubt this, especially in men. I suspect it plays a role in promoting attachment to already-born kids but not in deciding to have them.
I know you are posting on LW which is a skewed audience, but most people are mediocre at most things and are unlikely to achieve great feats according to you, even with more ambition. Having a happy family is quite a reasonable ambition for most people. In fact, it is of the few things an everyday guy can do that “pays off in anything much greater” (i.e. the potential for a long generational line and family legacy).
(Also consider that stereotypically, women are the ones who spend the most effort on domestic and child-related matters, and are also less likely to be on the far right of bell curves.)