what assumptions would you make about a family with four to six children?

[ChelseeDagger]

Not wanting to start a bun fight or being goady in the slightest. Just looking for honest opinions, whether they be positive, negative or neutral.

It appears difficult for them to accept that other parents with resources which are more or less equitable with their own are able to adequately parent a greater number of children.

That's a pretty big assumption and people will have differing opinions on 'adequately parent' and whether 'adequate' is good enough. What does it even mean?

Regarding resources, are the resources from benefits? Council assistance? Because for many, that makes a difference. £1 earned is different to £1 received for nothing.

Could the OP have (without being goady and certainly not wishing to start a bunfight ) started a thread explicitly inviting opinions from every point of the spectrum about the choices of women who belong to spocific ethnic and specific religious minorities in the UK?

Worded carefully, she appears to have got away with exactly that.

Still wondering why she posted.

All those children and still nothing better to occupy your mind with....

Perhaps those ignoramuses actually had a point 🤔

@mathanxiety

Why yes, I'm certain she pretended to have five children specifically to play in to your insecurities.

The search function is there for a reason

My multitudinous children are all grown adults now, @ZednotZee. I sometimes find myself with time on my hands.

It's possible to be a mother of five children and also to have a bee in your bonnet about Irish people, or Catholics, or Catholic Irish people.

Still waiting for my answer, and also waiting to see how it's worded.

I’m one of 7, Irish traveller background and just think the parents did some shagging 🤣

I always wonder why anyone has more than two kids in this day and age to be honest. Don't particularly care if they do, I just don't get the need in people to continue to procreate 🤷

I remember learning in human geography as a teen about over population and have held the view that no one should have more than 2 children ever since. I wouldn’t say anything and peoples religion / financial situation/ personality type is irrelevant it’s just what I’ve always thought really.

@MsTSwift

Wow! I wish my secondary school teachings had been sufficiently formative to entrench in me such an immutable world view.

I would assume one of two things...either they are a well organised, child-suited couple who thrive off the fun and business of a large family.
Or, they are disorganised, overwhelmed and miserable.

I can't see there being any in between really! I think raising 6 children is a calling, and couldn't be done consistently well by just anybody. I have 3 and raise my hat to anyone who can handle more and know that all their needs are being met.

I have five children, we are both working professionals I fully expect my children to be economically beneficial in their adulthood.
I wouldn't make any assumptions if the DC are loved, cared for, had their needs met socially and emotionally.
Admittedly I would judge a big families who don't ensure their DC have this foundation and let them run wild.

@ZednotZee

Still wondering why she posted.

All those children and still nothing better to occupy your mind with....

Perhaps those ignoramuses actually had a point 🤔

Is there really any need to be so rude? Why not just say what you want to say with courtesy?

I wouldn't make any assumptions I'd just think rather them than me

Honestly I posted as a diversionary tactic from the minutiae of real life.
Apologies to those who assumed loftier or more noble reasons.

@mathanxiety my mother is one of twelve from an Irish catholic background raised in Liverpool, my father one of six from an orthodox jewish one. Incidentally they apparently had to be married in the side chapel of SofX church where I was subsequently baprised, much to the Father's chagrin.

I have no axe to grind with the Irish, or with catholics as I hope is evident from my beckground.

Nor do I take undue offence at the supposition of idiots. I find their assumptions rather amusing, and to be frank, if you are unable to consider their views similarly then I accept no responsibility for that.

Goodnight, God bless.

I probably wouldn't, I have friends with 4 and 5 kids,

I also have a friend with 6, at least one is adopted, at least one is genetically theirs, and at least one is fostered. I am not sure of the actual number, because its none of my business.

As my friend’s father would say “almost a family!” Culturally for me 6-12 is average/normal.

I have no axe to grind with the Irish, or with catholics as I hope is evident from my beckground

But you knew that others did, yet you posted your OP.

And I still have no idea why you posted it, given that you described the nasty, bigoted responses as 'predictable'.

Yet I haven't responded to the thread with anything even appropriating the ire which you seem to have deemed an appropriate response.

Yes, isn't it appalling that we are not all you, @ZednotZee.

I find their assumptions rather amusing,

Indeed?
So you posted because certain predictable reactions amuse you?

@MsTSwift
Did you learn about population replacement rates in your human geography class?
The problems that occur in an economy as a population essentially dies out?

I have 4 - 2 of each - loads of love and laughter. Don’t see that as a big family though as I am one of 7. We are busy and well organised but not precious. Lots of DCs friends hang in our house as we are (according to our DCs friends) laid back. We also encourage the children to take a friend with them on our holidays where we house share with other big families. Lots of planning and logistics but they all muck in and have a great time. I have enjoyed all parts of their childhood but probably most fun has been teenage years and I love who they have become (all so v different) and really enjoy the banter with their friends.

@PferdeMerde

I’d assume they must get busybodies in their face regularly shrieking about the environment

lol thinking the same id bet op does better than me, with 1 kid

id think your nuts and permanently exhausted op but only cos i was 1 and done
'insert no tv joke here'
if all kids looked happy and well cared for, id think nothing more though

I genuinely don’t understand how the concept of each generation having to be larger than the one before for economic reasons is sustainable in a planet with finite space and resources?

Blame Thomas maltheus it’s his theory! And that was before climate concerns.

There seem to be an awful lot of people on the planet (the nature even in England is decimated due to our building and pollution) personally couldn’t in all conscience have more than 2 - replacement level. And asking me to gush over baby number 5 in another family is a stretch!

Oh and I also happen to think my two are rather marvellous 😁. But not so marvellous that the planet needs 3 more of us!