I want to say thank you, @Brackhar. No offense to @sdee, but this was an answer I needed.
At first, I had typed out paragraph after paragraph asking “why this mattered” and “what does that really benefit”. But then I went back, and reread what I had said, and realized that, even with the way it is now, it’s a space waster, but a necessary space waster. It adds that just enough flavor, to let you know what’s going on but doesn’t scream it at you and force you to take action. Yes, there’s other ways this could have been done, but honestly, thinking them over, this was probably the best. In this way, it directs you where you should go and what would help better your town, yet it doesn’t throw it in your face and say you HAVE to do it or you’ll lose.
I already know my answer, but I have to ask just in case, but how far are y’all wanting to take that? Obviously, it’s been said multiple times children (reproduction) won’t be part of this. But will this lead to side quests, with Hearthlings making demands, cults being formed and convincing people to not do their job, like where could this go?
I know y’all try to keep a happy, family friendly, deposition on the game, but as all great stories go, where’s the conflict? Will this system become part of that? I apologize and digress.
Just my opinion, but don’t soften it up anymore. As it stands, it subtly gives players a direction, and if it were any softer, I fear it wouldn’t have the same impact as I now see it does.