it's a double edged knife

parents say they are "happy" because kids are a dead-solid way to bring purpose to your life. A dad/mother has an automatic stimulating force forcing them to get out of bed every morning. This facilitates life a lot on the mental arena. When you're on your own, you need to decide what to do much more often, which can bring stress.

But on the other hand, you lose a lot of freedom. You fall into debt and schedules and unending responsibilities imposed by the 'contract' of marriage.

Therefore, if you can find purpose for your life in something else, something more spiritual, I say: do not have kids.