I caught a headline on the PG about the birth of an Arkansas child, the 17th in the family. Yes, 17 children from infant to 19. Wow. Here's a quick link.
Dad is an insurance salesman, Mom homeschools the kids.
How does an insurance salesman support 17 children?
So imagine this as an African-American family living in Detroit or Pittsburgh. Would people be impressed by their family values or aghast at their imposition on public resouces? Would anyone line up to donate diapers or a free minivan?
I suppose it is their right to determine how many kids they can support. But I'm a foster care worker and well aware of how many thousands of children need homes. And support. So it just bugs me.
It also bugs me that the article mentions the "fun fact" that Michelle Duggar has spent over 10 years of her life pregnant. Ick.
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Hilarious and sad all at once. Good post.
ReplyDeletei remember her in the news with her last baby.
ReplyDeletei think you are right. the attitude of the public would be different if this family were a minority family.even if they could afford all those children. just look at recent statements by o'rielly and pat bucchanan.
that's sad. in many ways.
Years ago a woman in Highland Park kept trying to have a boy to assuage her husband's desire for a boy.
ReplyDeleteAfter birthing 4 daughters & lactating for 7 years, she bought a boy puppy & presented it to her husband, declaring, "Here's your son."
I love how on the website, the father states, after his 17th child, "When asked about the possibility of more children, Jim Bob said, "We would certainly be open to having more children. The girls want to catch up with the boys now."
ReplyDeleteGive me a break.
Seventeen children? That's not a family, it's a '50s Disney film.
ReplyDeletenah, i think that was puppies judge, but you are right on anyway. ; )
ReplyDeleteunless it's the sound of music. hey ,do you think those kids could get a singing coach?
they could be even more annoying than the osmonds.
WHAT I WANT TO KNOW IS WHY DOES THIS WOMEN HAVING 17 KIDS AND POSSIBLY MORE BOTHER ANYBODY????? U ARE NOT SUPPORTING THEIR FAMILY IN ANY KIND OF WAY, AND WHO CARES WHAT THE FATHER AND MOTHER DO FOR A LIVING, THEY ARE TAKING CARE OF THIER RESPONISBILITIES. NOW IF THE FAMILY WAS GETTING STATE CHECKS THEN I COULD SEE WHY THERE WOULD BE A PROBLEM...SO WHAT I WANT TO KNOW IS WHAT IS THE PROBLEM REALLY???
ReplyDeleteTo anonymous,
ReplyDeleteHaving large families will create a negative externality for everyone else. If you don't know what an externality is that learn how to read something more than National Enquirer. These large families usually survive because they receive child tax credits, subsidized housing, free school lunches, college need grants, welfare, and food stamps. If a large family can survive without government assistance then I would not give a damn, but that is never the case except for the upper class. Julio Iglesisas has 8 children, he is a good example of someone that should be having a large family, not some lower middle income Americans, especially those who just immigrated here and cannot speak English. Large families do not deserve my tax dollars.
"These large families usually survive because they receive child tax credits, subsidized housing, free school lunches, college need grants, welfare, and food stamps."
ReplyDelete----> This is a really sad reality that people should take more seriously. Some large families take advantage of this all too often. It is not fair for other responsible people out there who limits the number of children they can have just so that they can fully support their kids on their own without ANY help.
I mean, why have all those children if you are not 100% financially responsible for them? Why would anyone let other people (tru taxes etc) pay for their own children? It should only be used as a last resort...an unfortunate circumstance and not for intentional over breeding just for the parent's entertainment.
I have 6 kids and I live in Pgh. I get looked down on everytime I mention how many children that I have in addition of being a stay home mother. I can't stand to see that these people get free help from the government and I (who also have a 2 parent home for my children) get ridiculed by the government and others when we find ourselves at a few stumbling blocks. I do feel as though this has to do with racial background...
ReplyDeleteUntil you actually do some research on this family, none of you are qualified to castigate them for having all the children they want.
ReplyDeleteFirst off, they are homeschooled. They get no "free lunches" and we pay nothing for their education. Secondly, Jim Bob is not only an insurance agent, he is active in real estate, and has made quite a bit of money doing it. More than enough to support his wife and children. Go to their website (http://www.duggarfamily.com/) and take a look at their home. Not only did they build it themselves, but it's NOT SECTION 8 HOUSING!!! Which means that you didn't pay a dime for it.
And as for their child credits come tax time...so what? It doesn't affect you one way or the other. You probably get a tax refund every year, so you don't even pay taxes. In Jim Bob's tax bracket...he pays. Believe me.
Mind you own business unless you're fully informed. Sheesh.
THEY ARE TAKING CARE OF THEIR OWN FAMILY AND THAT IS FINE AND NO ONE SHOULD EVEN CARE ABOUT THAT. THEY ARE NOT ASKING FOR A HAND OUT. AND IF THEY WANT MORE THEN THAT IS FINE ALSO! THEY ARE NOT LIKE THESE PEOPLE WHO UP AND LEAVE THEIR KIDS FOR NO REASON. OR LIKE SOME PEOPLE WHO ARE OUT THERE HAVING KIDS JUST TO GET A CHECK!!! THEY LOVE EACH OTHER AND THAT IS ALL THAT MATTERS IN A FAMILY!
ReplyDelete