I love polls. Even if I don’t personally take part in them I am always interested in what other people have to say. Such was the case in an AOL/Parenting Mom Debate Poll of over 40,000 respondents. The question was, “Can a family have too many children?” Of the respondents, 78% said yes. Coming from a large family (I was the baby in a group of eight kids) and growing up with kids in my neighborhood who also came from large families, I always thought we were the norm. When I was growing up it was actually unusual to find families with just one or two kids. I recall in middle school becoming friends with a girl who was an only child. To me that was bizarre!
So if I had taken this poll I would have had to answer no. To me it’s a personal decision. I think if you have the financial means, the stamina and the patience then go for it. Coming from a large family, as I got older I realized that I didn’t want to have that many kids and that was a personal decision I made a long time ago. I wanted one child and that was it. Not that it wasn’t great being a part of a large family, but for me I wanted just one child to shower all my love and attention on. I’ve always have either siblings or nephews or nieces around, in fact I grew up with most of my nephews and nieces since my siblings were much older than I was (I was an aunt at birth).
I certainly would not look down on a couple who decided to have a ton of kids. It’s their choice. What were some of the responses from the people taking the polls? Well, one person felt that once you have too many children it’s difficult to insure that all kids get the attention they deserve. Well, in some families with just one child, the parents don’t give them attention either. Another felt that parents can handle just so much responsibility at once and having too many kids takes away from your peace of mind.
Of the respondents who voted no, one felt that children were a blessing, not a burden. One felt “ the more the merrier” and one pointed out how infuriating and insulting it can be when people make remarks about the number of children you have (“this is the last one right?”).
Just like the issue with older women having babies, again, I think the issue of how many kids you chose to have is a personal choice and we should respect each family’s right to reproduce as they see fit.
What’s your opinion?
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