Do Catholics still have large families? Do they use birth control?
I'm interested in facts only. Thanks.
2007-10-23 13:44:54 · 4 answers · asked by gimme1latte 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I don't have stats on average family size. I know Catholic families with lots of kids and those with just a few. I know one lovely Catholic woman who was only able to have one child. She and her husband tried and tried after that, but they only had the one and learned to rejoice in a family size that was smaller than what they had dreamed of. I know another couple who had one and tried to have more but couldn't. Then they applied for adoption at two different adoption agencies and within a month had adopted three daughters -- two sisters, 10 months apart in age, and another little girl who was about halfway between them in age. Almost triplets, but not quite! I know of another couple who had two and still want more but can't seem to conceive. My husband and I have three kids. We do not use birth control.
I also have some non-Catholic friends who conceived their first three children while the wife was taking the Pill. Happens all the time.
All this to say, family size is not necessarily an indicator as to whether or not a couple is using artificial birth control. And THAT is a fact.
Are their Catholics who use birth control. Yes. They are not following the Church's teaching in doing so, however.
2007-10-24 05:11:18 · answer #1 · answered by sparki777 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
2 or 3,slightly above average. Polls since the late 60's indicate they are for the most part ignoring sanctions against birth control. Of course they are very much a minority so in terms of population control it doesn't really matter. African-Americans are procreating at an incredible rate and they are about 30% of the population. On the average 5-6 children. Catholics are about 6% of the population.
2007-10-23 20:53:47 · answer #2 · answered by Maya 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's pretty much a mix now. Still many large families, though.
Catholics are not supposed to use artificial forms of birth control, but some do, which is sinful and against Catholic teaching.
2007-10-23 20:49:44 · answer #3 · answered by Vernacular Catholic 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well... my Catholic aunt and uncle who don't believe in birth control have 11 kids.
2007-10-23 20:57:15 · answer #4 · answered by Petina 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋