okay,new one.how many kids is too many?with octomom and the duggar's and the like,do couples need li

I believe that the number of children born by natural conception to a family should be as many as the Lord blesses them with. Trying to base the number of children on financial conditions has to lend to the question, 'What do you do when financial conditions change? Do children become expendable when a means of financial support disappear?'

In any economy, finances change, sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse. Believing that visible means of support dictates this number, is like saying only the wealthy and intelligent should have children.

The poor in all nations, all civilizations, have made a way through great hardships. At one time, our own ancestors had our great-relatives under difficult and trying situations - possibly situations where others in better means judged it crazy they had those children.

Life is greater than our concept of controls.

In the case of Ms. Suleman, I agree with John Fracchia. That situations should have never happened. It is not a natural method, and there was no ethical thought put into the equation.

It's really hard to say that someone should not have their kids. I only have two and if you look at our financial situation, one could say that we have too many based on that alone. When I was working full time before I lost my job, we had more than enough to support the kids, but is money really worth it when my children are ten times happier to have me home more? Isn't it better for them to be happy and healthy than stuff and nice clothes? Therefore, Specialk3749, as long as the kids are happy and properly taken care of, who cares?

If people are having lots of kids merely for attention, then it's too much and they need to reconsider. If someone wants a child merely for the tax break (and I do know of someone who said they wanted a child for that reason alone), then they should not have children. Children should be seen as and treated like the blessing they are, and if someone can not give their child(ren) the love and attention they need, no matter how many they have, then it's too many.

I know of a woman who can't handle her one child because she's too selfish and wrapped up in having men pay attention to her than properly taking care of her daughter. She has too many kids (but I adore that little girl and miss her terribly!). I also have a friend who had to use help just to get pregnant with her son and when they wanted one more, got triplets. She adores them all and they are beautiful, well taken care of, and happy. She does not have too many kids. There are just too many factors and every person/situation is different.

My opinion is that too many kids is best defined as having them without the means to support them. Sometimes unplanned pregnancies occur, but cases such as that of Nadya Suleman should never happen. Before she was impregnated by artificial insemination, the clinic had an ethical responsibility to ensure that she had the necessary means to provide for them.

I agree. The number of children you have should depend upon whether or not you can support them financially, physically, emotionally and educationally. They also take a lot of your "free-time" - something far too many people seem shocked to learn.

You can not rely on others to do your job for you (ie: pay your way, receive freebies etc.). It may sound harsh - but having kids is a lifetime commitment. They are human beings - not accessories. If you can't make that commitment to each child you have, then you should reconsider adding to your brood

I have 6 children at home and I am pregnant with the next one. If you sit down and do the math with my husbands income, then we cannot "afford" these children! I truly believe that all children are a blesssing from God. So, if He gives us blessings, He is going to keep on His promise that he will supply all of our needs. It is true! The math doesn't add up, but my kids are all educated (we homeschool and I have 1 in college), fed, clothed, and are happy. So, how can anyone tell me I shouldn't have them just because my income says I can't?