Big families

There is no suggestion that this family will be a drain on anything, though. When they are growing up it will be difficult to support them, but as adults there is no reason to assume that they won't contribute to society, is there?

There are very few big families in the UK - so not much of a problem. We had, and supported, four (quite enough for me) but then my brother didn't have any.

Are we going to disapprove of other drains on our services. People who drink, smoke, overeat, under-exercise, do dangerous sports, drive too fast, live too long etc. etc.?

Just think of all those odd socks, party invites, cookery lessons, dressing up as Roman soldiers..

I'm sure your children are all valuable members of society, but are they really going to look after elderly people in the third world?

Not that that has any bearing on why you had them or their value as individuals, but it seems an odd thing to say.

Indeed Luckygirl I was thinking something similar! 12 minute labour. Perhaps that's the answer.

I am intrigued as to the state of her pelvic floor - mine was shot after 3!

I think the next programme about them will show them going to Australia for a month to visit relatives.

I just can't begin to imagine why the Radfords want to perpetuate a life of never ending drudgery. I completely accept that this is there choice but can't help wondering, do they not see a life for themselves outside of nappies, bottles, washing and cooking?

A friend of mine, back in the 1970s was only intending to have one child, to help save the planet from overpopulation, but then her health visitor told her that her only child would surely want to have a larger family when she grew up so they decided to have another baby. Very odd reasoning but maybe some logic to it.

I asked a Chinese student about the situation there. It has been greatly relaxed and although she is an only child, she would be able to have more than one now, but she said she didn't want to have any children! She was enjoying the freedom to study and travel and have a life of her choice.

They seem a lovely family but when the older children are asked they all say they would never have a big family. I am sure the children must feel neglected at times with so many of them .

When I had my fourth I was called irresponsible. My answer was that my children would be an asset to the world and they certainly are, all holding valuable jobs and raising another generation.
When the third world comprises 75% old people, who is going to look after them or pay taxes to support them?

Not sure what to think. It's an addiction I believe and as such, surely less harmful than other addictions!

We had 4 which was a bit above average back then. We knew several families with 6 and more.

All 4 of my DGP came from families of 8 to 13. I can't imagine what that must have like for their poor mothers.

We have 7 DGC and that will be all.

Exactly merlotgran.

The Radfords earn shed loads of money from Channel 4, not to mention new clothes, kitchen, furniture, baby stuff etc., etc.

There will no doubt be a documentary about this latest baby before very long.

Isn’t the increasing population bad for the environment? I’m sure I read somewhere forget the recycling and the electric cars, just don’t have kids!

A beautiful family, too many but lovely and I bet they pull their weight as contributing adults when they grow up. I was one of 7 and I love having a lot of siblings, we all became professional contributers

Slightly ashamed to admit I had 5!

Dh is one of 4 boys but there were only 10 grandchildren and I'm one of 4 and there are only 6 grandchildren so surely there is a bit of swings and roundabouts, isnt there?

It's not as though everyone has even one child never mind lots.

I don’t think there is a limit on how many children you can get child benefit for, although I believe there is a tax implication for high earners. You cannot get a Universal a Credit for third or subsequent children but this only applies to children born after April 2017.
I agree if they are self supporting it is up to them, up to point, but I can’t imagine why anyone would want more than 6 at the most (only had 2 myself).

Well obviously all the children from huge families midgey.

You are right MOnica very succinctly put.

Only two children receive child benefit Monica. There are more old people in Britain than young, who is going to look after us oldies?

Who is doing petty bickering?

There is no suggestion that many people are likely to follow their example, surely? I don't know anyone who would want to have so many children - even in the past when a lot of children died in infancy a family of that size would have been very much the exception.

Surely the damage to the planet if many people followed this family's example somewhat over shadows any pettey bickering of whether their decision is under pinned by government money.

22 children! Just wonder why nowadays anyone would want that many. My DH came from a family of 9, one brother died in childhood, but this was back in the 1940’s and 50’s when contraception was not readily available. And he was from what was considered even then a large family.
Personally, I feel my two AC and five GC are more than enough for me to love and worry about.

Who are we to judge? There are small families who do a terrible job of parenting and large families, as other posters have commented, who give back to society tenfold. My maternal grandmother raised 12 children in a 3 bedroom council house between the 1920s and 1940s. All survived, a hardworking family with not much to go round.
Such large families are rare nowadays so I don't feel the need to get too exercised about it.

Sorry, Charleygirl5 - I didn't ignore your post. It just took me ages to write mine . I know how annoying it is when someone comes along after you (one) has posted and says the same thing sith no acknowledgment, but that isn't what happened.