U.S. aid agencies and population researchers around the world are continuously working on ways to reduce the number of large families? In other words, abortion, right? It always comes down to this sinister undertone. And as long as these families are supporting themselves and not taking one penny from the government, what does anyone really care? I mean yes, these families invited us into their business but you also have the freedom to turn the channel when Kate Gosslin grinds on your nerves (she does mine , too, I have to agree there). At least they are promoting family- a dying concept. Whether you have one child or twenty, the fact is that happy families with parents who obviously love each other and their children grate on the nerves of the over-zealous environmental crowd. I’m not saying we don’t have a responsibility to the world God gave us, we indeed do. We cannot afford to go to the other extreme of some people who feel there is no point because God is going to end the world soon anyway- that is equally ridiculous, as it is spelled out clearly in Genesis what our charges are. But please, there are more important issues on the horizon- the lack of respect for life, love, and compassion in our culture; war, poverty, violence permeating every aspect of our lives, injustice, etc. These families have nothing to do with that. These are issues that effect us, all of us, small families, large families, struggling single parents alike.

I am from a family of seventeen children. My mother gave birth to her 18th child on October 9 1958. ( 17 living children, 18 counting a stillborn carried full term previously before). The newspaper article was almost a full page that was in all the Philadelphia newspapers and most parts of the world. I can understand a lot of these questions that come to mind here, about having such large families, and the love and the responsibilities and the effect on other families. I have written a story that is in the process of being a book. The title: “Home is Where Your Story Begins” What I know for sure is; My mother had a tremendous amount of faith in God. More then I have ever known in my entire life has anyone ever shown us more. And ,why I write about these truths that have sustained such an unusually large family through love and faith in God.
My hope is that the reader would find the mysteries to their own questions in love and families through this glorious true story of faith and survival.
Truly,
Catherine Nagle

My parents were married in 1933 at the young age of sixteen. During their blessed marriage, they had 17 children. The reason that they had so many children? They believed it to be a sin to prevent life from coming into the world. According to their faith; children were an act of God.
My father served in World War II and was called again to active duty in the Korean War; while he (then) had 8 children. He followed through the call as a “duty with honor.” He fought for our country. He believed in liberty and justice for all! While he fought, he was wounded from a mine that exploded and left his entire back covered in shrapnel. The benefits and awards that were given to him were not monetary or gold; but in his eyes they were the “truest wisdom which comes from God.” Even though he was awarded the Purple Heart for his wounds psychically and mentally, he needed to work to provide an income for his family regardless to what shape he came home in. His pension was not nearly enough to buy a week worth of groceries, never mind enough to raise his family. But he was grateful for the small sum he received (that stayed the same over the years), regardless of any changes in the economy or the growing family!
He was a gifted artist who painted murals on churches, restaurants, and social halls in the city of Philadelphia. He painted some of the scenery displays at the Academy of Natural Science in Center City. He was offered to paint for the Walt Disney Studios, but declined the position as this would take him away from the responsibilities he viewed as most important, helping raise 17 children. The most important person in his life was mom, and he valued every day that he spent with her and his children. And most of all he respected her role in motherhood as the highest a woman can achieve! We grew up seeing how very much in love they were!
My mother was a very joyful person and loved children. She never had any interest outside the house. Her only interest was in her family. She found it very hard to accept any help, donations, or charity from those who were not in our immediate family. But there were a few times she had to, when dad’s paintings were not called on. She actually turned down the opportunity to be on a famous television show, “Queen for a Day”. [A daytime television show that "awarded" mothers for their excellent roles “in giving to others.”] She thought it would take her away from her most important responsibilities of raising her children. (Even though everyone said she’d win, and probably win big!) As I have said, she never expected anyone other than herself to take care of us. Her only dependence was on God. And by the Grace of God, she did it miraculously!
Although most people can relate to one another in the ways they are brought up, I have never been able to relate to anyone! I am the middle child of 17 children. We didn’t have a lot of money growing up, but I had the greatest childhood that you could ever imagine. With more than enough to go around!
All I know for sure was that my parents were able not only to feed us and clothe us, but feed others in my neighborhood. Even with supporting such a large family, having only the small pension and income from my dad, there was never a word spoken in our home about not having enough of anything! We were forbidden to speak those words! It was more important for my parents to feed and help others, rather than spoil us children with material things that held no value
Although education was not a major priority to my parents, morals, values, and virtues were! The lack of understanding in education from my parents is clearer to me today, as they barley completed the 8th grade. To me, my mother was the smartest person in the world! She was excellent in spelling and her grammar was as refined with every word she spoke to us. My dad was wise and witty as can be, and he knew just about everything that we would ask him! They both had the most beautiful personalities. They were known in our community by how well they carried themselves. They both had a unique class of their own!
They were healthy. They didn’t drink alcohol and took care of their bodies. They viewed this life as a gift from God. The only medication I remember my mom ever taking was medication for her diabetes!
Maybe we lacked further education as compared to some families, but we didn’t miss out on any virtues; in courage, compassion, honesty, forgiveness, manners, helpfulness, justice, charity, love, hope, and most important of all, faith in God! And in all honesty, without these virtues, there is no life, regardless of what schools we attend.
My story that I am writing clearly explains the mysterious gifts from God that are available to everyone, that a lot of us tend to miss, or take for granted. And for me, these are the most valuable things we can call on, that can save our lives regardless to what we are facing. And how do we measure the differences in the knowledge that is gained in serving our Country through two major wars, or raising 17 children joyfully? To what we have learned in High School or a College education? When it provided and served everyone very well, with love? I don’t think we can.
Truly,
Catherine Nagle

I would say, no, not in other words, abortion. The author is talking about sustainability and responsible population growth, neither of which requires abortion. Also, why does being environmentally conscious make one fearful of loving families? That’s silly. Being aware of and questioning our use of resources doesn’t make someone overzealous, although those folks certainly do exist.
The point, I think the author is trying to make is, our world’s rapidly expanding population is an ever-increasing demand on our limited supplies. The huge, loving family is nice, and it’s interesting, but one can’t ignore that it isn’t exactly a model for sustainability. Wouldn’t it be cool to show how this micro-population with its single source of revenue and constant (and growing) need for food, shelter, and diapers can be a model for green living for larger populations? In many ways, it’s the perfect setup. If this family can leave a reasonable footprint, that’s something we can see and understand how it might apply to our own homes, offices, and communities.

There is nothing wrong with having a large family as long as you can support it. The Duggars are DEBT FREE. They have commercial rental properties and other business ventures to support thier kids. You never see them scream and holler at thier children, and you never see Michelle be-little her husband like Kate Gosselin.
The Duggars also teach their kids different trades. The girls can mend clothes and make their own, they can also cook from scratch. Each Duggar can play at least 2 musical instruments. The Duggar boys can tear apart and fix cars, and do a lot of things builders can do.
Hopefully the Octomom will ask the Duggars for advice on raising her children and how to be debt free.

There is everything wrong with having a large family in this day and age. We are consuming resources at a rate that will burden generations far into the future, not to mention every other living thing on the planet. The average American consumes on average more than 30 people from developing countries. By that measure, the Duggas consume resources close to 600 people! Having 19 kids is the height of environmental irresponsibility. God didn’t create this family and others like it to be a burden on the rest of us. It strikes me as the height of selfishness to have so many kids.
And education is supposed to help families control unnecessary breeding. Ah, so much for learning if people won’t listen.

Greg, well said!