There is a version where the worse it would be the more rational it becomes to accelerate there faster
As a protective measure for your kids. Similar to the motivations for many civil wars
If you’re going to be miserable, hungry, on the run, etc. you have a better chance of surviving that at the age N than N+10, for all N > 15. Better to start the misery now and adapt while you are younger. You might even get to see the other side for sufficiently small N.
They also don’t appreciate what actual societal collapse would be like.
There is a version where the worse it would be the more rational it becomes to accelerate there faster