It's much greater than a 'status symbol'. When you see a husband and a father you see someone who has personally accepted the responsibility to invest in the next generation.

A man is the sum of his responsibilities. A man with no wife or children has fewer responsibilities and is seen with suspicion, and rightfully so.

Now that wife-less and child-less man may be a good person who has taken on other responsibilities that give him worth in both his own and society's eyes but far more are worthless overgrown boys looking to extend their adolescence with their vague notion of 'freedom'.

When you're ready to grow up, nothing strengthens the legs of a man like the weight of a wife and children. Accept that responsibility with gladness and fortitude and men will tip their hats and women will admire but more importantly, you'll be a man, my son.