16 kids and wanting more!!!

[Logan]

If you watch the video, completely, on CNN, you certainly can't walk away thinking that these folks are on any kind of welfare at all!!! They are building a 7000 sq ft house. Welfare does NOT afford this kind of thing and I happen to believe that they are doing something that the rest of us could learn from about budgeting, putting responsibility on our kids, etc. Although I could not function as a homeschooler to one, let alone 16, I think these folks definitely have "got it together" as a family unit. I don't think one dime of my tax money is going to support them after reading what I have, for sure.

Logan

[Karen]

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.

It's okay, apology accepted. Just remember next time that it is better to express yourself calmly and civilly when posting on Pet Talk.

[jackie]

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

Most people rarely seem to have more then two children anyways, and those two will fill your, and your partners place in the population when you die.

[Logan]

Whew! I'm so slow in my response that I was in General and my post ended up in the Dog House!!!! I watched the CNN video, twice, to make sure I was making a proper point.

I know that having 3 kids is expensive. Would LOVE to know what this man does for a living to afford 16! They're doing something right, for sure. One thing I remember from the Today Show this morning is that their grocery bill is in excess of $2000 per month!

This post should not be hostile. It is one family's choice, their decision, and it's making the news because it is interesting news. I like it when special interest news stories like this one hit the airwaves to balance all the other negative stuff that we endure when we watch the news.

I am a Fox News person and watch Fox and Friends in the morning, when I'm getting ready for work. E. D. Hill has 8 kids......is she wrong? I don't think so. I wouldn't want to walk in her shoes, but good for her!

I feel the same way about the Duggan family. Good for them! Those children will grow up to be responsible, good adults if what we're hearing is correct.

Logan (who thinks she is "done" with this discussion)

[Edwina's Secretary]

I do quibble with the "we don't pay for them." We do. Higher medical insurance premiums....they pay the same family rate as a family with one child - just for an example. "No man is an island" and we support each other...through taxes, insurance, etc in many, many ways!

That said...it is their business. I just feel sorry for the children and cannot find it admirable.

[DJFyrewolf36]

It mentioned something in the article about the father being in Real Estate so I doubt money is an issue.

I can't judge or say if the kids are happy or not. It seems like it from thier photos though.

Has any of the programs about them interviewed the older kids? I wonder what they have to say.

I wouldn't want 16 kids, but if they are all happy, well adjusted and well cared for I can't see why people need to judge them.

[lizbud]

I wonder how much money it would cost to send 16 children to college?

[DJFyrewolf36]

For the 2004/2005 academic year, the average annual cost of a four-year public college is $14,640 and the average annual cost of a four-year private college is $30,295. (Source: The College Board's Trends in College Pricing Report 2004.) The total figures include five expense items: tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, transportation, and personal expenses

Well, using those numbers as an average, not counting for inflation...

Public College: $234,320
Private College: $484,720

Thats quite a bit of money!

[Scooby4]

The couple with 16 kids are NOT on welfare. Although some tax dollars may have went towards them considering that the guy was a Senator Representative in his state. He's going to run again this year after losing last years election. So is it better to have paid the guy's salary with our tax dollars to represent the people of his state instead of supporting him with the welfare dollars of the state?
Remember that 2 of them are sets of twins. One fraternal and one identical. That accounts for 4 of the children there alone. The couple also did not start having children until 4 years into their marriage! Then they had children about every 2 years between. The usual number people suggest separating children's births.
They have been working on building their 7000 square foot home for 2 years now. The bedrooms are going to be "dormitory" style. So the bedrooms are going to be shared. None of the children are "special needs" and are all healthy. Their living conditions and education is better than what most children receive. They are learning to work together and take care of one another which is what any body could ask of their children.
I personally wouldn't want that many kids but I don't say that someone shouldn't. This isn't a case of having children for the sake of having children or getting a bigger welfare check. This is a situation where there is a loving home environment and each birth is treated like a miracle and blessing. I am almost jealous.
Besides the woman who had the most children had 53 children!!! She lives in South America and is soo dazed that she no longer recognizes most of the kids! She's had several sets of twins and triplets which accounts for the large number. I think she's only given birth 25 times in all. So 16 isn't so bad after all!!!

[dukedogsmom]

If they were pet owners, wonder if they would be considered hoarders?

[lizbud]

If they were pet owners, wonder if they would be considered hoarders?

LOL Good question Valerie.....

[Logan]

I wonder how much money it would cost to send 16 children to college?

A LOT! For sure, Liz, but as many financial consultants will tell you these days, we need to put more responsibility on the child to earn their college education rather than providing it anyway.......I think there is a happy medium in there, somewhere. Just my 2 cents.

[Vette]

I dont think ill have one kid.. let alone 16 of them.
as if the world isnt over populated enough as it is.

[jennifert9]

WOW!! 16 kids!! I cannot even imagine!!

MHO, I think giving birth to 16 children is a bit over the top...we do have an overpopulation problem in this world. I do agree that it is their business and take no issue with them doing what they want with their lives. And I understand the birth control issue that Finn's Mom brought up also. I don't know the solution...except stop having sex and start adopting!
There are thousands,if not millions of children that need homes. I honestly haven't heard much about this family,just what I saw on TV tonight and what I have read here BUT I did hear the father say that they love children and love raising them. They can do that by adopting as well as they can by reproducing....sometines I think the "self-reproduction" thing is overrated and self-centered...the world doesn't necessarily need another "me" or even another person with my "bloodlines." The world needs to care for the children that need homes and love and TLC and raise them as good, kind, caring, productive members of society. I'm not all that wonderful that I think there needs to be another one of "me" living 200 years from now!! LOL!!
However, that adoption issue brings back up the birth control issue and if they are against it then I don't know....? I read an article in Reader's Digest a month or 2 ago about a family that had 25 children, 3 natural and 22 adopted. All the adopted children had some form of disability, most had Down's symdrome and some had cerebal palsy and a few others had some other form of disability. (I can't remember exactly) So that family is raising even MORE children than this family is, the difference being that most of theirs were adopted. I guess if this family had stopped after 3 there would be room in their home and hearts for 13 needy children...That is just how I see it. I am a huge advocate of adoption in both pets and humans. However, I am also a woman of child-bearing age who does not have any children of her own so, in a way, I am speaking out of turn as I am not in their, or any parent's shoes.

Re: college education costs...I think that the ~$30,000 cost was a PER YEAR cost, not a 4 year cost. So that's $120,000 per child x 16. (I can't even attempt to to the math!! )
Simply mind-boggling!! And Logan, I agree with you to some extent that it is a good idea to have the child contribute to their own college education and that it is in no way entirely the parent's responsibility. Unfortunately, it doesn't always work out the way it was intended, to teach responsibility and the value of money and education to your children. I paid for most of my own bachelor's degree, my parents paid what they could and sent me spending money ($20/month 10 yrs ago that was a GOLD MINE!!! ) I also worked on campus while I was in college. I still left school with over $30,000 in student loans which is relatively mild compared to today's figures or what people with advanced degrees are paying but keep in mind,I went to a NY state school, not a private school. My first student loan payment 9 months after I graduated, was more than my paycheck for the entire month of work at my first job!!!!!!!!!! And I had a fairly decent job, comparable with other college grads at the time! I had to get my payments reduced time and time again until my pay caught up with the monthly payment they were expecting from me. Even now, I will easily be paying them for another 20 years. AND, because of those student loans, I lived with my parents until I was 27 years old because I could barely afford the 6 yr old used car I bought to get to work much less my own place to live!! Compared to my best friend whose parents were able to afford to pay 100% of her private school education as well as give her a used car when she graduated. She was living on her own at 22 and just built her own home whereas I hae little to no savings and am still renting. (I love her to death and maybe jealous but I am not bitter, I ADORE my parents and wouldn't change a thing, I'm just making a point.) I guess the parents will still get the "costs" of the education, either on the front or the back side...(That sounds funny!!) But you get my point I think...so I will shut up now...

[QueenScoopalot]

When I was growing up in the 60s and 70s, there were two competing families both with the last name "Mahony/Mahoney". Both lived within 3 blocks of each other, and when I left home at 16, one family had 17 kids, and the other family was 'baking' an 18th! I cannot fathom the chaos all those kids could create, but always found it quite amusing. As long as a family can financially support and educate their kids, and teach them all to be respectable members of society, I don't personally have a problem with that. It's ones that spew out dispicable brats that they think are perfect, and rely on taxpayers $$$ to support them....that gets me. They're the reason our jails are filled to capacity, and then some. It all boils down to personal choice, and I am happy to be mother to many! Animals