Large families are treasures, not problems

The Salt Lake Tribune in its editorial of May 30 called upon "all potential parents to consider not only their own resources but those of their community and planet" and cut back on the "procreation of large broods." According to the Tribune, Utah's big families are the cause of "high taxes . . . more pollution, urban sprawl, increasing demands on limited water supplies . . . and (lower) quality education." The only way, according to the Tribune, to save our "finite world with limited natural resources is to create a sustainable population rather than an expanding one."

I disagree.

It appears that the Tribune editors have been overdosing on the dark, unrealized predictions of Thomas Malthus, Karl Marx, Al Gore or Paul Kennedy rather than looking at the actual data. In reality, Utah's big families make up a very important part of the local economy, educational system and social strata. Capable parents who desire to both "multiply and replenish the earth" deserve praise and encouragement, not blame or criticism.

Large families strengthen the economy as well as the soul. The greatest economic crisis facing the United States and most industrialized nations is that we have too few large, stable families rather than too many of them. As populations age, live detached lives and live longer (while fewer children are born to work, care for their own and pay taxes), economies decline, crime and social problems increase, and governments cannot fund their welfare entitlements, which in this country are the black holes of Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.

Utah is blessed by cohesive families that welcome children rather than reject or abandon them. Large families supervised by a full- time mother do a superior job of raising kids. Kids tend to be less spoiled, disrespectful and unproductive when socialized in a large, orderly family. They develop citizenship and strong values as they learn to obey parents and interact, worship, share, support each other, work and get along together. Kids in large families realize that they are not the center of the universe. Mothers and fathers, in turn, find great meaning, fulfillment and interdependence in raising a child-rich family. Their marriages are more likely to last.

An added benefit is large families generally provide a sophisticated extended family network, where children have access to many positive role models. One-child societies do not have aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, brothers and sisters. Children excel in school when supported by parents, older siblings, grandparents and aunts and uncles who are experts in their respective fields. Extended family members also provide work and career opportunities. Many extended families are so skilled and organized that they can effectively home-school their young, providing additional savings to the taxpayer.

Finally, large families are more efficient in managing limited resources. They operate according to an economy of scale: growing and preparing nutritious food at home rather than always eating out or buying expensive packaged food. They cannot afford to waste their resources on alcohol, cigarettes, the latest fashions and expensive trips and toys. They shop for bargains, recycle clothing and learn to find enjoyment in each other. Supported by one income, they live within a tight budget, which builds thrift, industry and character. All of this portends well for Utah's children and its future.

The truth is Utah's large homes, water-guzzling lawns, high bankruptcy rates, unsupervised children and sprawling neighborhoods are generally not the product of large families, as the Tribune suggests, but more often by smaller two-income families feeding their appetite for larger homes and grounds, more amenities and personal freedom. There are better ways to replenish our educational system, our tax structure, our economy and our natural resources than to cut back on the size and inherent strength of Utah's families.

Tom Christensen is a board member of United Families International. He lives in South Jordan.

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