(after having read your replies to Elo's reply)

Another data point: I'm wondering about this too despite kind of the opposite interests: Relationship without procreation feels like something important missing. I already have four sons so procreation is kind of satisfied. After breaking up I'm feeling kind of freed but I'm also missing company - so why not date to form a new relationship? Sure. But wouldn't that mean that I'd 'exploit' a potential partner - her getting the worse end of the bargain given my children. I'd bet that corresponding calculations are deeply wired into our brains. I notice that I'd at least hesitate in the reverse case. So at the very least having common offspring seems like making even on that - and I'd be happy with that too.

But is that really that kind of 'bargain'? Could it be that there is such a thing as 'care orientation' (see cuddle orientation) and a mutually satisfactory relationship can be found? Maybe. But in any case finding a partner matching this complex (emotional and otherwise) setup is arguably expensive in terms of time and possibly emotions. After quite some excursions in that directions I myself decided to 'cut my losses' or at least change directions. And the direction currently means not actively pursuing relationships.