Quote 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?

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.