Yeah, I don't think the world is in a place where I need to be making a 'continuing our species' argument but I can say that there is always the chance of helping the world. I know it sounds melodramatic and naive but when you hear what we're telling our kids, it's quite apparent that we have kids so they can be role models and active members of a society that the rest of the generation can hopefully facilitate. A society that can fix the world.

And yes, I know when you look at countries like America, Greece, and y'know... all of the Middle East, everything seems to be going wrong. For some reason, a lot of people seem to have that spark and I can't blame 'em.

Of course there are horrible parents that raise kids just to be their punching bags and I know that there are kids that were born just to act as an almost emblematic hood ornament of success decades prior. And, I know that the risk of the child proving to be suicidal is definitely something to worry about. But you say that as if it restricts change and development. There's always the possibility of passing that roadblock of depression and resentment; sure it's hard (really hard, in fact) but I think it's possible to overcome those dark feelings and hey, they'll probably come out better.

Believe me, I'm pretty cynical too, so writing this sappy pretentious wall of text is a bit uncomfortable for me but it still stands. The main point is, there's always going to be selfish desires (hell, even the best parents are a bit selfish, everyone wants their offspring to continue their passion even if just a little) but the purpose inherently isn't selfish. Even if a kid was raised by the most narcissistic devilish parents imaginable, they at least have the chance of changing their own life, kids, and ambitions for the better so they the ability to make a difference.

TL:DR: There are selfish aspects embedded but the whole process provokes the want for change. Also, depression isn't a dead end.