A 2010 Pew Research survey asked 770 parents why they decided to have kids. Of those surveyed:

• Seventy-six percent said it was because of the joy of children
• Fifty percent said it was to appease their spouse or partner's wishes
• Forty-seven percent said it was because they had adequate financial resources
• Thirty-five percent said "it just happened"
• Fifteen percent said it was because they wanted someone to "care for me when I'm old"
• Four percent said it was because of pressure from their family