With respect to the OP, I think this is the saddest thing I have ever read "struggling to come up with pros to have children".
I mean, where to begin?
LOVE, its all about LOVE.
LOVE is the reason we exist, its the reason we form friend- and relationships and, yes, its the reason we have children.
An extra small person on the scene represents an objective increase in LOVE going around, and how can that be anything other than a massive plus-point?
Yes, it can be difficult, tiring, frustrating and - due to the way society is structured - bloody expensive, but so what? LOVE trumps all of that.
You want pros?
The triumph of a first step or word, the wonder of story time, the magic of sharing new experiences with a child, the indescribable bond when looking deep into each others eyes, the gumsy smiles, santa and the tooth fairy, the snottery noses, the pride to see them grow, develop and achieve, the laughter, the tears of joy, the cuddles, the lifelong companionship, the LOVE! Its all about the LOVE!
(If you prefer a more sterile reason - the success of passing on and so perpetuating your DNA!)
Of course, a couple starting a family should be a firm and positive decision and if not sure then we should wait - but im struggling to see how anyone could not identify any pros about children.
Its sad that the modern age drills women to see kids as an inconvenience or handicap. Nothing could be further from the truth.
(Dont listen to any rubbish about over-population - its all nonsense and indeed the west has been suffering a severe demographic winter for decades now.)
Next week, "Breathing: Should I do? Unsure of the benefits."