no offense to anyone who wants to have a family but, why can't the answer to this question of "whom you are earning for" be "just for myself"?
I mean, when you've been grinding your ass off for ages, trying to get those marks in school, then trying to understand those brain tiring PCM concepts to get into IITs/NITs, and then again trying to get those CGPAs in college, studying 15-20 subjects to get a good placement, AND THEN AGAIN working 9-5 jobs to get the learning and work experience, all these while other privileged folks out there enjoying the shit out of their life for the whole time by travelling, going to clubs and concerts, buying expensive cloths, shoes, phones, watches etc.
They could do it because they had been provided with almost everything directly in their hand by their rich parents. There is very little compromise on their side to have a family. But for me, this cycle of sacrifices still won't end if I start a family. Even if I'm earning very well, there is actually a generational gap of wealth between me and folks out there. So, I either decide to have a family and build a life for them, or have that life for myself.
This is just my own opinion, and I don't expect any other person to relate to this.