I am beginning to take it all personally.

[wildeyed]

18. Absolutely!

And it affects men directly too. I have a male partner who earns a living and shares in the child raising duties. We decided jointly that we could only afford two children. That was the most we could reasonably afford to raise, even though I would have liked more. If we had more, he would be just as trapped as me since there is no way he would abandon us. I work outside the home part time. People standing in the way of my education and ability to work hurt my husband (and existing children) as well since I contribute to the financial bottom line in this family too. Without my work, we would not be able to save for college and for our retirement down the line. So it is keeping us out of the safety net.