16 kids and wanting more!!!

[Karen]

When someone has THAT many children, it's fairly obvious to me that they don't consider them even human - just objects. Tools to get them more money from the welfare system. Trophies if you will. I've seen it all before, and it sickens me.

Wait - does that mean you don't think people with a lot of pets consider each one as special and worthy either?

Most teachers have to contend with more than 16 students every day, all at once, yet we entrust to them the care of future generations ...

Large families were more common in prior generations, my grandmother was second-eldest in a family of eight children. Each of the eldest (the first four were girls) was kind of assigned a younger sibling to care for - my grandmother's "responsibility" was the youngest girl, Bertha. Mind you, Bertha said she usually was called "Edith-Ethel-Elizabeth-Florence-BERTHA!" but she knew her name anyway. When my grandmother died (when I was an infant), Bertha and my mother became closer friends, so the "connection" kind of continues to this day.

[caseysmom]

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

[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.

[finn's mom]

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.

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.

[ILoveReptiles]

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.

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.

[finn's mom]

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.

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.

[caseysmom]

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. I certainly would not want it to be dicated to me how many children I can have.

[finn's mom]

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.

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.

[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.

[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)

[popcornbird]

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.

[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?

[jackie]

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.

Well said!

[senorita02]

ILOVEREPTILES, i agree with you 100% !
16 kids! i think it's absurd!

[finn's mom]

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?

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.