16 kids and wanting more!!!

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Originally Posted by ILoveReptiles

Sorry to let you in on this, but by the time I'm retired, Social Security won't exist anymore.

I think it's totally irresponsible, and it should NOT be encouraged in any way shape or form.

I won't back down on my opinion either. You're all entitled to yours, by all means. This sort of thing just REALLY gets me angry.

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I'm not saying you should back down on your opinion. At all. I respect that you think she's had too many kids. But, it's the way you were saying you didn't like it because she was abusing welfare, and, there's nothing saying that she is. And, there's a difference in being angry and speaking calmly and being angry and nasty. I can't speak for anyone else, but, I was just confused at why you were being so nasty in expressing your opinion. Again, I respect your opinion, completely. I wouldn't want you to back down. But, if it's welfare moms that piss you off, that doesn't appear to be the case here.

It is very presumptive to assume something about a family or a person when you know only a small part of the story.

I don't think anyone should be so harsh to a family that they don't even really know. I understand opinions, but plain out mean is another thing.

They have the right to have 16 kids. God Blessed them with all these kids and they seem to be doing a good job at raising these kids.

I have never heard that they were on any government program either. Maybe they come from wealthy familys, and are settled money wise.

Each domination has their own system of beliefs. So I respect theirs.

Just my opinion.

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Originally Posted by ILoveReptiles

Sorry to let you in on this, but by the time I'm retired, Social Security won't exist anymore.

I think it's totally irresponsible, and it should NOT be encouraged in any way shape or form.

I won't back down on my opinion either. You're all entitled to yours, by all means. This sort of thing just REALLY gets me angry.

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It may not exist by the time I retire either, but in any case, they will be taxpeyrs when you are ready to retire, and so will be supporting the government that will, in all likelihood, be contributing some to your well-being, whether or not it is called Social Security at that time. Civilzation my well fall completely apart, sure, but I'm betting against that happening.

Anger can be always expressed, as well as any differences of opinion, in a civil manner. Civlity is generally prefered here on Pet Talk.

Good gosh...some of you are WAY out of line. :eek: While I personally wouldn't ever want to have that many children...if that's what the family LIKES, who are we to say they're wrong? I don't believe a single penny from our tax money goes to them anyway. They are building a 7,000 sq ft house...obviously have the money to do so. All of the children looked well behaved, well dressed, and obviously, well taken care of. I wouldn't ever want that many kids. I do know that in certain cases, lots of siblings are a blessing. My dad comes from a family of 8, and my mom, 7. That was pretty normal 40-50 years ago...a lot of people had that many kids. Its not that common NOW...and of course 7-8 doesn't compare with 16, but still. Its not for me, but if they're happy and taking their responsibility seriously, then that's good for them. Who are we to judge their decision and think badly of them because of it?? Sure they might be different...and we might think its crazy...BUT, if they're happy with it and caring for all of those children, then that's good for them, and we have no right to condemn them for it. Its very possible that they are raising good, level-headed children, and that each and every one of those children will be a huge contribution to our society when they grow up. Who are we to judge??? Sheesh...calm down.

That, and the fact that the earth is already so overpopulated - going on 7 billion people... there really isn't any reason these days to have that many kids. IMHO, back in the colonial ages, it was necessary to have big families like this so that they'd have extra help working the farm.

I feel our society has advanced beyond that point - it's just not necessary, and it strikes me as so horribly wasteful, I can't help but get angry. We're supposed to be preserving this planet - not destroying it.

So yes, call me a fanatic if you will. I don't really care - I feel the way I feel.

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Originally Posted by ILoveReptiles

That, and the fact that the earth is already so overpopulated - going on 7 billion people... there really isn't any reason these days to have that many kids. IMHO, back in the colonial ages, it was necessary to have big families like this so that they'd have extra help working the farm.

I feel our society has advanced beyond that point - it's just not necessary, and it strikes me as so horribly wasteful, I can't help but get angry. We're supposed to be preserving this planet - not destroying it.

So yes, call me a fanatic if you will. I don't really care - I feel the way I feel.

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So, it's not the welfare thing that bothers you with this family, then? It's the overpopulation that's the biggest issue for you? I'm just trying to understand your point of view. And, again, I totally respect your opinion, it just might be taken more to heart and maybe even accepted by someone else who previously thought differently...if you had expressed it with a little less animosity. I think that's more the issue than your opinion itself.

I haved to ask the question...WHY???? Large families were an economic necessity when infant mortality was high. Children were needed to work the farm/support the parents in old age.

How does a mother home school 16? Yes...teachers have classes larger than that...all the same age and none infants. Older ones teaching younger ones? Okay...but what do they get out of it?

ILoveReptiles, it is not your family. They are not related to you. They are not your friends. More than likely, they are people you will never meet or see in your life. If it wasn't for the media, you wouldn't even know. WHY do you care??? Quite frankly, it is none of your business. It is none of any of our business. The reason I posted it was because I was thinking, "Wow...what a huge, huge family." It wasn't to put them down, or to have anyone look at them with disgust. I would much rather see such families than the many broken families that we have in society these days. So many children are neglected growing up...parents get divorced...they live tough lives. I would much rather see children growing up in big families that grow up with respect for others, than to see children that come from broken families with a lack of love growing up...kids that turn out to be teenage monsters, and a destruction for society. These kids' parents are working together to raise them sincerely. WHY should it matter to ANYONE? Its none of our business. It really isn't. If they are parenting properly, it is absolutely NONE of anyone's business. Its not something I would EVER do...but if they're happy with it...again...none of my business.

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And, again, I totally respect your opinion, it just might be taken more to heart and maybe even accepted by someone else who previously thought differently...if you had expressed it with a little less animosity. I think that's more the issue than your opinion itself.

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Well said!

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Originally Posted by finn's mom

So, it's not the welfare thing that bothers you with this family, then? It's the overpopulation that's the biggest issue for you? I'm just trying to understand your point of view. And, again, I totally respect your opinion, it just might be taken more to heart and maybe even accepted by someone else who previously thought differently...if you had expressed it with a little less animosity. I think that's more the issue than your opinion itself.

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Actually, it's both.

I admit I was a bit rude, but this just hit a nerve. It's something I'm very passionate about.

I apologize for offending anyone.

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Originally Posted by Edwina's Secretary

I haved to ask the question...WHY???? Large families were an economic necessity when infant mortality was high. Children were needed to work the farm/support the parents in old age.

How does a mother home school 16? Yes...teachers have classes larger than that...all the same age and none infants. Older ones teaching younger ones? Okay...but what do they get out of it?

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As for why, I know the families I've had experience with have said it's because they don't agree with birth control, and, if God is allowing them to have children, they will continue to do so. My friend's brother has six kids, and, they're going to have more. She just miscarried what would have been their seventh, and, their reason for having so many is because that's what they feel like is the right thing to do. And, I guess a mom homeschooling different ages wouldn't be a lot different than WAY back in the day when all grades met in the one room school house. I don't know, I personally wouldn't do it, but, it's done, and, just as some publicly schooled children excel and others fail, I imagine the rate of success is just as diverse in home school. I don't know the statistics, but, I've seen it work for some kids and not for others. And, for what they get out of it, again...I think the answer to that is so personal and probably different even for each of their kids. I don't think a question like that can really be answered here.

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Originally Posted by ILoveReptiles

Actually, it's both.

I admit I was a bit rude, but this just hit a nerve. It's something I'm very passionate about.

I apologize for offending anyone.

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Cool. I mostly had an issue with you assuming they were on welfare. ;) We just don't know. It doesn't seem like they have money woes, but, that's just a guess. Apology accepted. I wasn't so much offended, though, as I was just like...whoa.

I think in our society there are many women now that have no desire to have children (the smart ones anyway :D ) anyhow I think it balances out the families that are large. I certainly would not want it to be dicated to me how many children I can have.

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Originally Posted by caseysmom

I think in our society there are many women now that have no desire to have children (the smart ones anyway :D ) anyhow I think it balances out the families that are large.

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I was kinda thinking that, too, but, couldn't think of how to word it. I don't know how much it balances out really, but, I would think there are plenty of people that don't have children to at least counter the ones that have many to some extent. Especially nowadays, it's just not necessarily in people's plans all the time like it used to be, having children.