I wonder if this is the majority view? I hear it often but it's not something I feel (disclosure: I have one child).

I certainly think in terms of leaving the world better for all living things rather than for my children (although I guess they would benefit).

I personally feel shame that I am a part of the destruction of this world which in turn motivates me to want to make it better.

This is something that has grown as I have aged, I feel now that I'm older I can see things in the longer term and I can see how long it takes to make change and make it stick.