Many would argue that the responsible amount of children to have is two max, because that way the couple is simply replacing themselves as part of the population, rather than adding to the population growth. Of course, that is a simplistic way to put it, but I just thought I should throw it out there.

The Duggars are disgusting.

Use the internet for the first time today, did you?

Actually, I comment on this site pretty regularly, and normally the ridicule found here goes out to bigots and truly harmful people who deserve it. I just don’t see the Duggars as being especially heinous, or heinous at all, really.

I guess I agree that have 18 kids is irresponsible, in terms of overpopulation and the environment, but again, there is a lot worse you could do. It is important to note that when they built their home they were environmentally-conscious. You obviously can’t totally negate the effect that 18 people have on the planet, but they are trying.

Also, if its true that 18 children is irresponsible, how many children would be the responsible amount? It seems like anyone having children, rather than adopting children who are already around is the irresponsible thing to do. And again, I can’t, in good conscience, deny anyone reproductive rights, whether they want to use birth control to have one or two children, or not use anything and have 18. It just too arbitrary to select a responsible number of children, and an irresponsible amount.

We should get Hemant to call it Mostly-Friendly Atheist to eliminate any future suprises.

I’m surprised by the judgmental comments here.

Use the internet for the first time today, did you?

“The ultimate Christmas gift from God,” said Jim Bob Duggar, the father

But followed by:

She needed the C-section, her third, because the baby was lying sideways

Bit of a joker, this “God”. 

Fortunately for this mother we have science, or she would most likely not have survived these 18 deliveries.

If all of them have exactly 10 kids, then that’s 180 grandchildren. Provided all of the family members survive to this point, we have a situation where, from a starting point of two existing people, there is a colony of 200 people.

Let’s take the conservative estimate that all 18 kids have an average of 2.5 kids of their own. That still equals 45 grandchildren, hence 65 existing people from a starting point of only two.

I don’t even want to think about what would happen if their pattern of breeding were to continue perfectly for a few more generations. Anybody wanna give a guess as to how many other families would need to go childless to equal neutral population growth?

Let’s hope that genetic engineering can keep up with the increasing world population’s demand for food.