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The reason most Westerners have only two kids is because they don't have a social support group which can take turns raising the extra children. The practical l
by orangepurple 4y ago
The reason most Westerners have only two kids is because they don't have a social support group which can take turns raising the extra children. The practical limit for a two-parent household is two kids if they are of a similar age and one partner is taking care of the kids full time. Beyond two kids you're pretty much going to start having to neglect someone some of the time simply because each kid demands so much attention and there is a limit to how much time you have preparing things for them and mitigating disasters. For three or more kids to work generally you need a stronger family support network which is able and willing to devote time to taking care of your children.
- benji-york 4y agoAs someone with four children who lived most of their early lives a thousand miles away from any established support network, I didn't find this to be true. On the contrary, the marginal cost of each child decreased with increased help from their siblings. Perhaps the given scenario is true in "helicopter parenting" modes, but we don't generally employ those.
- orangepurple 4y agoHow many years apart are the kids?
- benji-york 4y ago4, 2, and 4.
- CydeWeys 4y agoRight, but now the older children are being parentized and have to do some of the child-rearing instead of just being care-free kids themselves. Not everyone wants that for their children.
- orangepurple 4y agoI have some friends whose parents made them take care of their siblings too much and they are worse off mentally than their peers. I won't subject my kids to that treatment.
- benji-york 4y agoI don't think that applies to my case, but I've certainly seen it over-done. I believe there is a good middle-ground.