Is it a good thing for a family to have 17 children?

Question

Read about this family at http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070803/ap_on_fe_st/17_kids and let me know what you think. It doesn't seem to me that it's fair to a child to be put in that sort of situation. First, I'd find it hard to believe that there's been no financial impact. Seventeen coats, pairs of shoes, etc., not to mention all the food. Secondly, children need attention from their parents. How much attention can you have to give when it's got to be divided like that?

love&hearts, it's easy to say "it's not your business" but as far as I'm concerned the fact that they do interviews and let TV shows be done about them gives us all the right to have an opinion. And I'm not saying they shouldn't be able to do it, but just because you can do something doesn't mean you should.

Answer 1

It's kind of creepy. Back in the 1870s that was cool, but now it seems out of place. Plus, they treat the older daughters (you're talking about the family on the news, right?) like secondary house-wives to the husband (they can't go to college or work, they have to baby-sit the younger ones assigned to them)

Answer 2

I think that it is their business on how many they have. They are taking care of their children and raising them to be respectful to others. It isn't like they are just having kids and then expecting someone else to raise them all the time so they can do whatever they want. As for the money aspect, there are many other ways to cut cost on a lot of things. I have watched some of them shows and it seems like they don't ever watch tv and I have never seem them playing with any type of computer or video games. That could save a lot right there. I believe that I had heard that the mother makes all the girls dresses so that cuts a lot of clothing costs, plus with the hand me downs. I am sure that they probably get help with some things but I think they probably do a lot on their own also. They may not have the big expensive things but they are happy with what they have. Plus I am sure that they make a pretty good amount for the tv apperances that they make.

Answer 3

In the community in which I was raised there was a family with 18 kids. A closer and more loving family could not be found. To this day they remain very close and very active in one and others lives. Your correct when you discuss the financial concerns that would accompany raising this brood but somehow people who make these life choices usually end up making it through just fine. Quite often as the kids get older they go out and become employed and help out financially around the household. All the kids from this family grew up quite healthy and not a one of them were ever in trouble with the law. Majority became professionals in their fields of study and one married an NHL player.

Answer 4

I'm from a large family, even though my family isn't quite as large as the Dugger's. I'm the oldest of 6 biological kids, but I also have 4 step brothers, so I'm one of 10 kids. (My mom and dad have my brother and myself, my dad and step mom added 4 siblings, and my step dad has 4 boys.) I love having a large family. I have never felt like I didn't get the attention I needed from my parents. I do think that there has to be some kind of financial strain on a family that large, but there are ways to save money here and there. As food goes if you have your own garden and then can or freeze your harvest then you don't have to go out and buy that food. If you buy in bulk its usually cheaper as well. I have seen the shows about the Dugger family on Discovery Health and they seem to have everything down. They have a routine and everyone seems happy. I don't think any of those kids feels as if they have been cheated out of anything. Everyone has a "job" in the house, they all do chores to help out. Its teaching the children to be responsible. Having that many siblings can be a great thing, you always have someone to play with or talk to. I don't think its hurting those children at all to be from a large family. Like the girl above me my family also had dinner together every night. It was our time to sit and talk to our parents and each other. I'm 12 yr older than my oldest "half" brother (even though i never use the term half when refering to my siblings) and yes I babysat for my parents alot, but it gave me the chance to really get to know my siblings. I love my brothers and my sister. I wouldn't trade them for anything! My parents never missed out on any of our sporting or extracurricular activities. I would love to have a large family myself. I have 2 children now, but we plan to have one more child in the next few years. My husband is only one of 3 so he wants a smaller family. I don't see anything wrong with having a large family. I love it!!! That is just my opinion, take it or leave it.

Answer 5

That family is weird. I saw a special on them on TLC once when they were having their house built.

They seem like they're always happy. Which is quite difficult to believe. Can a family truly be that happy? having 16 siblings to compete with for your parents attention..


But than on the other side, I come from a family of 6 children. I am the 5th child, and youngest daughter.

&& I love having 5 siblings! It never seems like there are alot of us. it's great knowing that when I have my children, they will have aunts and uncles.

Answer 6

I see nothing wrong with a self-supporting family having as many (or as few) children as they can handle.

As for how much "attention" parents can pay - parenting has always been a 24/7 job. How much time do a mom and dad have who work all day and then try to "raise" their kids between 6pm and 10pm devote to them?

Answer 7

I think this family is extremely selfish. Overpopulation is the worlds largest problem and they are just contributing.

This planet can only support a fixed amount of life and humans are overpopulating it at a exponential rate. Basically for every human born other life must parish to support that human.

We live in a age of science so why do so many idiots believe that some "invisible man in the sky" wants us to destroy ourselves by reproducing ourseleves to death?

Answer 8

large families are great! honestly, the parents pay attention to all the kids. they make sure of it. my parents decided a long time ago before they decided to have 10 kids that supper was the time dedicated to have everyone get together. with the whole food thing, im not saying it was easy to buy, but it was really easy to save.
also with big families, you get to know your siblings more. me and twin brother and older sister all hang out w/ the same ppl and we've gotten really close. she's graduating this year...im gonna miss her...
but thats beside the point. the point is we all know our parents love us and we dont need a lot of extra things to know that. they come to every one of my volleyball games, to my sis's plays, my bros science fairs, and so on and so forth. but as much as i love that they are sure to be there for us we dont need the extra attention to know they love us

Answer 9

I don't think it is good because you know that there isn't enough time in the day for all of them. Plus, I'm sure the older children play the role of surrogate parent a lot.

Answer 10

i read the story on yahoo. i think that it is the most retarded thing to ever do. i think families having 4 kids is too many. but that is just me. i think that it is selfish of the parents to do this because thier siblings havent had any kind of bonding with thier parents because they are too busy bumping uglys. and when there are more kids they have to help raise them, they dont have a chance of a childhood. well they will get to play with their siblings... whoop tee doo. they need kids outside of the family. like i said..... retarded.