When I was a child in the 1960's, it was not uncommon to have friends with 5 or 6 siblings. I was one of 4.
But, times have changed. For all sorts of reasons - economic, work, personal preference, religion - the majority of parents are having fewer children today than was common in the previous generation. And, as family size has decreased, societal attitudes about larger families have become increasingly negative. The usual reaction goes something like this: "Why would you want to have so many kids?" Or, people might not ask at all and assume insanity or religious zealotry.
While the overall trend in family size has decreased since the mid-70's for most demographic groups, a recent report by the Pew Research Center on Social and Demographic Trends says family size is growing among highly educated women. We'll take a look behind that.
Guest host Mark Oppenheimer talks to a few parents of large families about the challenges - and joys - of raising lots of kids in 2015.
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GUESTS:
- Vida Maralani is an assistant professor of Sociology at Yale University
- Jordana Horn Gordon is a writer, lawyer and mother of six children. She’s also a contributing editor at Kveller.com
- Rich Calhoun is a high school science teacher at Deerfield Academy and father of four children
- Meagan Francis is a writer and the author of several books including “Table for Eight.” She also writes a blog The Happiest Home and is the host of the Mom Hour podcast. She is the mother of five children.
