"every one of whom is precious to us as a society."

This is demonstrably false - we have had how many school shootings this year? We have a "light truck exemption" that kills pedestrians and makes our vehicles an ever heavier competition (nobody wants to drive a small car if everyone else has a tank). We have the worst life expectancy of all rich nations - by a LONG shot. Our neonatal care is atrocious. We have no maternity leave. "Kids can work in meat packing plants at 14" is being honestly discussed.

Kids are a talisman, invoked to do anything except actually help them.