Which is basically code for they'd consider you two levels higher status if you had.

We really need to get rid of this mindset, unless we are ok with the occasional population cull by war (we aren't, right?)

"... occasional population cull by war ..."

Or a pandemic.

That's the most ridiculous reason for having kids I have ever heard. If that's your issue, maybe just invent some fake children and say you sent them to boarding school or they died in a car crash. Or less dramatic, say they live with their other parent.

I don't see why one would actually have a kid just to avoid that question. I don't really see that question come up that much.