Not *my* values, but the values the market enforces. That's exactly my point.
Again you show you don't understand what you criticize. Th market can't "enforce" anything.
bearing a child is a service to society
That's your opinion, your value. Some think quite the opposite.
most people would agree it's a necessary service for humanity.
Nope, it's not.
Hence, there is a tragedy of the commons of the market here.
Quite on the contrary, the tragedy happens when people don't pay the costs of their decisions. State-sponsored kids are a tragedy, as those who decide to have kids don't pay all the costs of their decision.
Actually, the very concept of "family" has everything to do with internalizing costs. You should read this excellent text,
On the origin of private property and family.
In such contracts, the woman is still in a disadvantaged position, i.e. has more to lose, which may manifest in the contract's terms in one way or another.
This doesn't even make sense. A contract is voluntary, if you feel the contract puts you in a disadvantaged position, simply don't sign it.
I merely state they may prefer to live in a society where they feel more secure and more rewarded for taking on this endeavor.
Of course every individual appreciates when they may externalize the costs of their decisions to others, if that's what you mean. But that's unethical and economically sub-optimal (society progress better and faster when those who make a decision are those who fully pay for its costs and fully enjoy its benefits).
In western countries, birth rates have long been stagnating at best. States seem to see the need to incentivize with tax reliefs, family allowances etc.
Besides stupidity, the main reason for such state actions is the fact that most of these states created long ago a coercive and massive ponzy scheme called "social security", which depends on a constantly growing input of young workers to pay for those retired. Such monstrosity would never exist in a free market.
Joel, don't go strawman and false dilemma. *I* don't want to force anyone to do anything.
If you support states which force people to pay "allowances" and other benefits to those who have children, then you definetly want to force people to do something.