The Duggars say it's their mission from God to have more children. Could He also tell them to knock it the heck off?
Momlogic's Andrea: Surprise, surprise. Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar are already going to be grandparents! Their eldest son Joshua and his new wife are expecting their first of what's sure to be many, many children. What happy news, except for the fact that Michelle is herself a mom to an infant ... and has her hands full with her other 17 kids.
Unbelievably, even though Michelle will soon be making the transition from mommy to grandmommy, she is still itching to get pregnant. "We would love more,'' Michelle reportedly said. "We really believe that each child is a gift from God. We would love to receive more gifts." Hmm, Michelle Duggar sounds a little like a woman collecting designer handbags ... she just can't stop herself. Sounds a little less like God's work and more like pure greed.
Mrs. Duggar's womb just keeps quivering for more kids. This makes sense, since the Duggars and other prolific procreators like them subscribe to the Quiverfull movement. Never heard of it? It's a movement followed by a small faction of conservative evangelical Christians. Apparently it's easy to be "quiverfull" -- all you have to do is pop out as many kids as humanly possible.
It's all based on Psalm 127:
Lo children are an heritage of the LORD and the fruit of the womb is his reward
Happy is the man who has a quiverful.
That was probably REALLY good advice back in biblical times, when the child mortality rate was through the roof and parents needed as many kids as possible to help sustain their hardscrabble agrarian lifestyle. Thanks to medical advances and convenience stores, the need for a multitude of children has dwindled.
But Nancy Campbell, founder of the Quiverfull movement, which began to take hold back in the '80s, believes "The greatest impact is through my children." Campbell told NPR, "The more children I have, the more ability I have to impact the world for God." Or, more accurately, impact the world with Quiverfull families' big a** carbon footprints.
In these days of food shortages and pollutions, maybe Psalm 127 needs some revision to account for a global population that's teetering on 6.77 billion.
But Kathryn Joyce, author of "Quiverfull: Inside the Christian Patriarchy Movement," sees the future of the movement as strong. "If everyone starts having eight children or 12 children, imagine in three generations what we'll be able to do." Joyce also told NPR, "We'll be able to take over both halls of Congress ... we'll be able to reclaim sinful cities like San Francisco for the faithful." Um, yeah, good luck finding affordable housing in 'Frisco for a family of 20.
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Comments: 19
I'd have no problem with them living in my community. Maybe they can replace our neighbors who have one teenage child that runs the streets at all hours and is always in trouble with the law!
At least the Duggars, unlike Octomom, are a stable married couple, which is th kind of home basis all chilrn need, and they are not taking any government subsidies. If they can be completely self-sufficient and provide decenty for all those cildren, more power to them. However, feeding an clothig the kids is one thing. How will they ever educate all of them? College costs are daunting to parents of two or three children! And if any of the kids have the talent and desire for grad school or one of the professions, how will they ever manage that cost?
And are the children happy? Do they feel that they get enough parental attention? My DH was one of only five children, nevertheless, he felt that he never got enough attention and preferred us to limit our family size to two or three children so we'd be able to give adequate attention to each.
All in all, I think there are too many problems with such huge families.
Quiverfull? Are you kidding me? Anyone who wants to take over the government and bring in religious ruling is a terrorist and a danger to our society at large. Take over government - in other workds throw over the existing government.
Sounds like rebellion and war to me - Christian soldiers come to mind and we all know the bloodiest wars are always fought over religion. No - it's definitely their belief system I object to.
When you are the youngest of seven there isn't always someone to play with, but there are lots of people who tell you to get out of the hair.
I never felt like I didn't receive enough attention. Matter of fact, I was suprised to find out how much MORE attention my siblings and I received from our parents compared to what some of my friends received from theirs! It's more about the family's value system and less about the family's size!
If there should be any finger pointing, perhaps those who support their unique lifestyle should be called to task.
Besides, they seem to be doing a great job of bringing caring people into this world.
If there are slots open for the kids I never had, they can have mine.