C-Section vs Natural Birth - Curious

Hi All, 
Adding this anonymously as I'm afraid of nasty & negative comments!!! 😣
These are my honest questions & I'd like sincere advice without causing a huge row between anyone. I believe each person is entitled to their own opinions without forcing them on others & each opinion is to be respected. 
Thank you in advance for your responses!
I'd like to know why some people are incredibly against elective c-sections and why natural birth trumps a c-section. 
I have done my own research on the web and I'm honestly confused!! It seems both options have their own pros & cons!? Many of my family members are in the medical industry & all of them say go for a c-section as it's just plain safer at the end of the day. 
So do ladies choose natural as it is a proven better process for the baby IF all goes well & it's less recovery time for the mom? Or why? I'd love to do a water birth but I am PETRIFIED of tearing & dealing with vaginal weakness & other issues. I will be 31 when the baby is born. 
So I guess my overall questions are as follows:
1) Why do people choose natural birth over c-sections?
2) How bad was your/someone you know's c-section recovery?
3) Did you or someone you know tear in natural birth & if so, how bad and have you/they had to cope with any issues later due to the tearing?
4) Are you aware of anyone who did suffer from severe vaginal weakness & lack of feeling after natural?
(And I'm not talking about the type kegels can help - I'm asking where an operation would be required)
Any other informative comments will be truly welcomed! 
Thanks to everyone who responds!