What was a primary reason for marriage and children in pre-industrial families?

In pre-industrial societies, the family unit often operated as a fundamental economic entity. Families were typically involved in agricultural work, crafts, or other trades, and the labor of all members, including children, was essential for survival and the functioning of the household. Children were seen as economic assets because they could contribute to the family labor force from a young age, helping with chores, farming, and later on, taking over family businesses.

Marriage also played a critical role in securing economic stability, as alliances between families could enhance resources, land ownership, and community standing. Thus, the primary motivation for forming families through marriage and having children was largely rooted in the economic necessity of the time, as opposed to individual aspirations for happiness, social climbing, or strictly religious considerations. In this context, the well-being of the family unit depended on its economic viability, making economic necessity a key driver in marital and familial arrangements during pre-industrial times.