<p>Well, I know several families that have 3+ generations of “success” however it’s measured. The grandparents, parents and now kids are “successful,” in having jobs/careers that pay all their bills, homes to live in and good health. The grandparents often had their educations cut short due to the need to help pay family bills by working jobs. The parents tended to make sure they got whatever education they could (often college and graduate degrees), and their kids also got college and some grad/pro degrees. </p>
<p>I hope his kids are able to get whatever education and careers they want with his inability and/or unwillingness to help fund any formal post HS education. As was posted upthread, hard to know jobs that can easily be obtained if folks have no education beyond HS (other than retail, sales, and food service). Perhaps if they go to CC and get some vocational training, they can find something else.</p>
<p>I’m not reading the article about him or his book.</p>
<p>My dad made sure he paid for all 7 of us to go to college and grad/professional school. We are all contributing members of society and not one of us feels “it wasn’t worth it.” We’re all paying it forward and sending our kids to college and beyond (for those so inclined).</p>
<p>I disagree with you, m2apg, especially in the context of what was actually said, but I don’t really care to debate the point. You may have as many children as you choose. I’ll stick to my one or less. </p>
<p>I do not pretend to understand what it’s like to grow up in a large family. It is not a choice I’d make for myself. I have to disagree strongly though that those who grow up in large families want large families. My fiance’s parents were 1 of 7 and 6/7 each (I can’t remember whether one died in infancy or as an adult). They and siblings had 3 or less children each (one outlier but I’m not sure how many are biological/foster/adopted). My grandfather was 1 of 10 and 4 of them went on to become Nuns & Priests and none of the rest had more than 4 kids. I don’t personally know a single person from a large family who also wants a large family. </p>
<p>I’m sure it’s different in places where large families are the norm. </p>
<p>The parents in question have every right to have as many kids as they want, and all of us have every right not to feel sorry for their kids when they discover that dear old dad doesn’t believe in paying tuition.</p>
<p>Fagan is named after an officer in General Moronis army.
They certainly legally may have as many children as they want and it is fortunate for them that their church and family were available when they were down on their luck.
I wonder how they would speak of those without those resources.</p>
<p>“I do not pretend to understand what it’s like to grow up in a large family. It is not a choice I’d make for myself. I have to disagree strongly though that those who grow up in large families want large families.”</p>
<p>Oh good grief, it seems like common sense that some people who grow up in large families want large families, and others who grow up in large families don’t. Just like some people who grow up in small families want small families, and others who grow up in small families want large families. It takes all kinds and people have all different reasons. I don’t know, in the absence of data, how you can say that there is a consistent pattern.</p>
<p>Families of eight children, regardless of religion, are definitely statistical outliers. I don’t know of any Catholics or Muslims (I live in New Jersey) with families that large. The only families around here with eight children are Orthodox Jews. Many of these families have family businesses, live in a cash-only economy, collect SNAP and use Medicaid, and drive Lexus SUVs. They do not generally go to college either.</p>
<p>PS I don’t care how many children people decide to have as long as you can provide for your own. I only have one so I’m glad there are others out there who are having more than two to pick up my slack. I did not plan on having only one but that’s just how it turned out.</p>
<p>My daughter’s friend has 7 in his family, all are going or will be going to colleges, father is a lawyer. Irish Catholic family from the Midwest. I know many Mormon families only had 4 children max.</p>
<p>What is it with this thread and stereotypes? Statistical outliers? yes The rest? stereotype </p>
<p>How about suburban middle class family with both parents having college degrees with children college grads or college bound? I know several. Does that make it the norm? No more than any other stereotype. FWIW, we do happen to be Catholic. I have only ever known a handful of large families.</p>
<p>So are the Catholic and Muslim culture. Why were not they mentioned?
Fagan was named after someone in the Book of Mormon, not the Bible or the Quran.
Amongst other things he has referenced, I think it is a pretty good bet he is LDS.</p>
<p>Ek, I’m sorry but unless you provide me with facts, I don’t like stipulation. And it doesn’t matter because Consolation does not know that when she made that comment. Only you brought that up base on your knowledge of the Mormons. </p>
<p>Well this thread has taken an unpleasant turn. Back to the author of the book (now fishing for free publicity). Guess he doesnt like to pay for much of anything. Gorilla parent? Yup-- I agree his thinking is ape-like.</p>
<p>DrGoogle, When I looked at the pictures of his family and read his stuff and considered his location, they seemed likely to be Mormons to me, not Orthodox Jews, Muslims, Catholics, or any of the other Christian groups that also encourage large families. It was more than the fact that they happen to have 8 kids. </p>
<p>Again, show me the anti-Mormon statements. </p>
<p>If these parents of 8, who are not paying for their kids’ college, are raising their kids w/o welfare and ensuring their kids are getting a decent high school education, then I’ll take them any day over the parents w 2 kids, who are on welfare and letting their kids fail out of high school.</p>
<p>It really doesn’t matter what religion he is EXCEPT, until it was brought up the mothers choice, as to not only going along with not helping her multiple children with their post high school education, but choosing to have so many children in the first place. Religions that are quite patriarchal do not give women much choice as to their role, except for within a narrowly predetermined path. </p>
<p>Given that this man seems quite arrogant and strong willed, it is easy for me to envision a young woman raised to believe not just men, but males are superior in their communication with The Heavenly Father, acceding to her husband’s wishes, re: her path.</p>
<p>I don’t know many people named Teancum who are Catholic or Muslim, do you?</p>
<p>Sorry, another OT point: what on Earth is this talk about “Muslim culture” encouraging large families? To the contrary, Islam encourages birth spacing, contraception is not forbidden, and large families are only desirable if one has the means to provide for them. Women in Muslim-majority countries often want smaller families but do not have access to birth control due to infrastructure rather than religious reasons. </p>
<p>Egypt in particular was one of the very first countries to push heavily for fertility control. </p>
<p>Having 8 children with the intention of not having them go on to higher education would be looked down upon in most Muslim cultures- especially among American Muslims. </p>
I have only ever known a handful of large families.</p>