Acceptable to have lots of kids 3 or 4 generations ago, but why not now?

Question

My great great grandparents and great grandparents had like between 6 and 10 kids. Why then did my grandparents and parents only have 3 each? And why do the majority of people today think even if they want more that they can only have 2-3 kids?

Answer 1

"Back then" the best kind of labor was free labor, hence all the kids in the families - my grandfather is one of 12! My mom is one of 9 and i am one of one! HA - those numbers decreased quickly! ;) Anyway - my grandfather said they worked on the family farm when they were kids and then started working when they were teenagers. You know, back then, your dollar went a whole lot farther. These days, the cost of living has sky-rocketed, people have much more debt today then when my grandfather was young, people have kids later in life so they can establish their careers, etc etc. Back then "MOST" people did not go to college unless they were drs, lawyers, etc - today - you practically need a bachelors degree to work at McDonald's, so everyone wants their kids to go - it's expensive to put a kid thru college, let alone, 5, 6, or 7 of them. I am only planning on having 2 max just b/c I am over 30 now and don't want to be in my 40's with a toddler around, you know? LOL Hope that helps to answer your question.

Answer 2

Back "when", it was acceptable to have a lot of kids because most families worked on their own farm or homestead. The kids helped with that work. They raised their own food and supplies so the kids had very little time to play, even the young ones. Now people work outside the home, so instead of having the kids for more help, they require more money. Plus, back "when", there were grandparents and other family members to help with the kids. When the moms decided to work, they had grandma, mom and sisters to watch the kids. Now days our grandma, mom and sisters all work, so our kids go to daycare. It's all a method of evolvement that has made it a lot harder to have more kids. I'd love more (I have 4), but I'd be taking away the little precious time I have from the kids I have and trying to spread it farther.

Answer 3

Things were different then. To start with, they did not have birth control, so the kids just came. What else are you going to do on a cold night then try and stay warm. What is the best way to tay warm when you are with your husband? The cost of raising children is more then is use to be. Everyone lived on a farm and raise everything they needed. To make a long explanation short, that is what they did then and this is what we do now. Ask around as to why people do not have more children or why they had so many. It would be fun to hear the answers that you get.

Answer 4

It's not that it's not accepted, it's that now people realize they have choices of birth control. Plus it's expensive to have kids, most people don't live on a farm and raise their own food anymore, and it's pretty much expected that all children will go to college when they are old enough, and parents are shelling out a lot of money for music lessons, dance lessons, sports, etc. Plus people are waiting longer to get married and therefore having less years to have children. That said, I suppose that some people might look down on people who have a lot of kids because the world is overcrowded, and this overcrowding is doing damage to this Earth that cannot be repaired.

Answer 5

I think people had larger families because of a lot of reasons. People used to die earlier from various diseases, so having a larger family assured that there'd always be someone around. I think a lot of people were egotistical too. They wanted more children for more free labour on the homestead. They also wanted to spread their seed around - more of their own kind in the world. Also, there wasn't as much birth control then.

I think it's alright to have a big family now too. If you want to, why limit yourself to 2 or 3 kids? As long as they're born out of love then it's O.K.

Answer 6

those were different times, a dollar went further and society was not a selfish and needy as it is now, children did not feel a level of entitlement like they do now. I think the biggest cause is the almighty dollar, you can't do with it now what you could then. I come from a large family I am the 20th of 24 children. (14 adopted) and when my parents were starting out (they are in their 70's) it was a different time, you couldn't even try to do that today.

Answer 7

The cost of living has gone up. It used to be a wives role to stay home and take care of children. Now most wives need to or want to work. Raising a child has become more expensive. In the past there was no reason to have to send all your children to college, now it is imperative if they are to survive and have a decent future. Raising a child has also become more demanding. Current trends are to get your children involved in as many activities as possible, provide them with computers etc. Back then, you sent them out to work or play until lunch or supper time.

Also, people didn't believe in birth control back then, or have as many options as they do now.

Answer 8

It is perfectly acceptable. My wife and I have 5 and our good friends have 7. On my wife's side, her Dad was one of 13 and her Mom was one of 7.
It is just as acceptable but most people are tied up in dual income careers and concerned about finances. Someone should have as many kids as they like and I don't think anyone else really has a problem with it.

Answer 9

I guess they had so many cause there was no birth control but i feel like they had so many kids so they could work them on farms, etc.

My papa and mama on my daddy's side has 21 kids. (could you even imagine having that many?)

My mom's side i believe my mama had 8 kids.
My mom had 7 kids but all of us (my sisters have 2 kids at the most)

Kids cost alot to raise so that is why people don't have alot nowadays.
I know i don't want a bunch of kids. I only have one son and i am alsmost 30

Answer 10

Up to the times, my dearest! Long ago, lots of kids were needed (chiefly in poorer cuntries) because many were neede to help the parents and if one died, there would be others left. Nowadays it's different! Because of social pressures, contraceptives, etc many parents prefer to have less kids (if they even want to have any). I hope this may answer your excellent question!