Do you think having large families is wrong?

Question

I just read an article basically saying that the Duggard family, often featured on TLC and have 16 kids biologically, are horrible people for having that many children. Now my question doesn't refer to that many children necessarily, but over 5 at least. Do you feel that is wrong or irresponsible, and if so, why? I know a lot of people say that it is wrong for environmental reasons, but isn't it worse to have two vehicles and not save power, buy bottled water, and whatever else?

Answer 1

I say if you can feed them all, give them all the care, love, affection and attention they deserve, by all means.....have all you want. But if you are going to rely on society to raise your child, one may be too many.

Answer 2

It's true in all things - some people are good at the beginning part of something, some at the middle and some are end-game people. Some CEO's specialize in start-ups, and move on when the company mature; other CEO's are end-game CEO's hired to wind down the business.

Some parents are great with babies...and others are great with teens. If you have lots of kids in your family, I'm going to guess the parents really enjoy only the "beginning" part of parenting.

I know a family with 7 kids.
The picture they showed of the family right after the birth of #7 was worth 1,000 words.

The 14 year old son was slouched in the doorway with his back to the family. Anyone who knows this family knows that the boy does not feel connected - he lives at the house, but I don't think his parents know the names of his friends or what he watches on the TV in his room or which web sites he hits.
There's a 12 year old girl, who's the same way.
Everyone older than 6 does babysitting, yard work, laundry and dishes, etc.

You better believe that the mother is not a soccer mom driving her kids to and from some sports event.
Everyone's life revolves around taking care of the little ones.

Money for college? Forget about it - who can afford tuition for 7 kids? The kids are on their own.

I like these people - but I don't like the choices they have made. I think their kids would be a lot happier if they felt they had more of their parents' attention - but with 7 kids, they best they can get is negative attention.

Answer 3

It would be wrong if you had a large family for Tax benefits and to collect unemployment... yes it would be wrong. If you had the money and time to raise a large family then by all means do so. Nowadays with no fields to plow, or crops to harvest why would you want 16 kids? The world is overpopulated as is and having 16 kids would be irresponsible. I think you need to do your own research and not just go on your feelings

Answer 4

I dont think having large families is wrong at all and who does is crazy!!!LOL. I myself want to have a very large family, As long as someone with a large family does right and raises their kids right, there should be no problem, so if you want to have more than 5 kids then do so and never let anyone stand in the way of what you want!!! Bye now.

Answer 5

I wouldn't say that I think its wrong, but I do think that two parents can't possibly give the same amount of attention to all sixteen children. A parent's love is infinite, but their time and resources certainly are not! Most small children associate love with affection and attention, because they aren't able to conceive of it yet on a grander scale, and may mistake a lack of attention for a lack of love.

I'll give you an example. In pre-school, one of my daughter's assignments was to answer the question, "How do you know that your parents love you?" She answered that she knew that I love her because I play with her, I take care of her when she is sick, I tuck her in at night, and because I tell her. She doesn't understand that my love for her surpasses all these things, and it never even enters her mind that just the fact that I brought her into this world was the greatest demonstration of love that I could give her.

I would love to have more kids one day, but I would be more satisfied to have one child who knows without a doubt that I love her than to have 7 that aren't sure if I love them as much as I love their brothers/sisters.

Answer 6

If someone CAN AFFORD to take care of 15 children and not be a drain on society and take it out of the tax payers pocket,let them have them.If that's what they want. But I don't want to support no more kids so do it yourself. And WHY would anyone choose to bring kids into a world like we have today? Just send them to college...Someone will take care of it for you. Go to McDonald's to eat,better wear a bullet proof vest. Not to mention going postal and just taking your fellow employees out..How about poisoning there soup so you can get money from the soup company for it? If these aren't good enough reasons -- how about you not letting little jenny or Harvey do what they want to or have what they want and they just blow your crap away one day. Great world we got here...Yeah lets all hav a few more...

Answer 7

Oh, I don't think that's wrong at all. I've always dreamed of belonging tos uch a large family, and one day having one of my own. I think big families are great no matter what enviormentalists say. There where huge families in the 1800's why can't there be now?

Answer 8

It all depends why they are having large families 'these days'. My mom came from a family of 12, and that was "back in the day". And that was because she grew up on a farm. But if they are having kids to keep having food stamps and WIC and what not...then thats just not right....

Answer 9

Of course it's not wrong. Why would it be? The people who say that our planet is overtaxed neglect to mention that it is drought and war in third world countries, not overcrowding, that causes malnutrition in those impoverished nations. Each family has the right to choose how many kids is right for them.

Answer 10

well the world is over populated so that only adds on to the problem. Imagine if every couple right now had that many kids, the world would multiple by billions more!

Answer 11

I don't think it's wrong, I do think it's insane though, especially for the parents. I could never imagine taking 16 kids shopping with me, especially anywhere that involves toy stores or picking out food.