How many kids?

Our grandmothers easily had a dozen or so children, but nowadays modern parents seem to have their hands full with 1 or 2 children. I see among family and friends that women have problems conceiving, have difficult pregnancies, miscarriages are common-place and once they do have children, they usually limit it to 1-2 children.

I know that children are so time-consuming and require all their parents efforts in rearing them into healthy kids. However I cant help thinking that we’re becoming less resistent to physical and emotional trials, or are women and humans developing a weaker immune system.

Our grandmothers were doing something right, which we aren’t. My mother says “aaj kal ke bachey bohot nazuk hotey hain”. I fear she’s right. When I was younger I wanted 10 kids, but I think for that I should have started at age 15.

With all the plastic in our food, GM foods and unhealthy environment, I think our immune systems and fertility levels are suffering. I think we’re psychologically weaker as well.

(Sorry for the incoherency, I wrote in a rush)

Re: How many kids?

I agree with your theory............... to a certain degree.

there are many issues concerning the reasons why.... but have no time to write!

Re: How many kids?

There are a number of reasons why people don’t go for more than one or two kids. With today’s women more into her careers and need for living independently, can not justify having 10 kids and give them proper time. Physically it might be possible but emotionally and financially it could be a little stretch for the whole family.

The views could be different for the people living in Pakistan versus the ones living abroad. In Pakistan people live in joint family systems and the labour is cheap so babysitting is not an issue…woman can have half a dozen kids, no careers and live satisfied lives. Where as in the west, where it is two income families and both parents are overworked, there is hardly anytime for proper upbringing and nourishment of the kids.

Also, the age factor plays an important role. Today’s woman wants to live her life first and then raise a family later, hence by the time she gets into late twenties it is too late to go for your own cricket team. Also, the thought process is changing..some people don't want to have kids. Procreation is not a necessity or in vogue for some.

Re: How many kids?

I don't care dude abt nazuk shazuk :D I want atleast (SIX) kids inshallah :D

teen larkay teen larkyaan :D

inshallah :D

Re: How many kids?

Aren't you going for your MBA and then a formal career (or there are no such plans). Wouldn't six be a little too much? :-p

Re: How many kids?

the minimum is 4, and the stopping condition is whenever i have the same number of sons as daughters and the littlest kid is a girl.

Re: How many kids?

Fayz

mein kyun batao kisi ko apnay plans :stuck_out_tongue: secret hae :smooth:

and six is the minimum

zaada bachay = ghar mein ronaq

i like shor walay hansTe kheDte ghar not chup chaap walay :smiley:

any more questions? get an appointment with my secretary :smiley:

Re: How many kids?

haha yea I do have a lot more questions. People who leave everything to Allah boggle my mind sometimes. I hope you are fair with all six :-)

Re: How many kids?

inshallah :smiley:

koi gal nai mein fair nai hoi toh un ka abba ho ga na mujhay do jootay laganay waastay :smiley:

ok ji bye bye and pray for me i got a lotta work pooray weekend ka kaam hamesha sunday night ko karti hoon :crying:

ta :wave:

Re: How many kids?

I dont even think its so much that women have careers etc now.

I think its more due to family planning programs by govt's to control population growth. It was shooting up way too much about 40 years ago, and its only in the past 40 years that the growth is no longer exponential (although steadily increasing).

Most countries are seeing it as too much a liability.

Look at China!!!!

And also, I think part of it is the financial infrastructure and economy.

I dont know how it was to raise babies back then, but now we have diapers (before they used to use just clothes that they're recycle and wash - ewww), and loads of other baby tools.

Plus the medical costs - doctors are able to put in a lot more effort and work into keeping one child alive - before a lot of illnesses didnt even have cures, so the death rate among kids was way higher. So now its more likely that your child will survive, but the medical bills skyrocket...

Basically, I think its much more expensive to have and raise ONE child now than it was before. Even with both parents working, they just cant handle the expenses.

Re: How many kids?

as many as ALLAH miyan will give :)

but i love kids . it's also depend on my wife how many she want. i don't mind if i have 12 or i have only 2 :) but i agree with irem baji on that ronaq wala gaher hou nac hiey hey :D

Re: How many kids?

^ Let me know if you ever find a girl willing to birth 12 of 'em. :smiley:

Oh and if you do, let me know how you financed them all. :rotfl:

12, boltha hai.

Re: How many kids?

Another problem is that infertility is on the rise - in North America anyway, according to various journals.

As far as the costs of raising children go, I think the government gives enough money to cover the costs of the basics (i.e. food, diapers, clothing) but regarding the medical bills, I guess it depends on the government policy.

Re: How many kids?

um, what govt gives for food, diapers and clothing sufficient to cover all costs? They usually give them stamps or discounts, but the US govt (dunno about others) wont cover the complete costs of baby-raising.

Why is infertility on the rise? I never heard that before, actually.

Re: How many kids?

It's because contraception is now available.

Re: How many kids?

financed is not a problem for me :slight_smile:

 yah is hard to find a girl who is ready for 12 but i said as many as ALLAH miayn give me and also said it's depend on my wife not on me :) 

p.s. i found a girl :blush: but i don’t know how many kids she want :bummer:

Re: How many kids?

A mother of two in the US told me she gets enough money from the goverment but I don't remember the amount. I don't know how it works there but maybe it depends on the state?

The rise of infetility has to do with the environment and our diet. Basically I think it has to do with all the chemicals that we've been encountering all our lives. I will try to find at least one of the articles for you - they were really quite interesting and an eye-opener.

Re: How many kids?

I can't access the online journals off-campus but you can look it up on the web. Here is one of the many articles you can find:

Stress causes rise in infertility
20 January, 2004
Times News Network
By Kavvya Christopher

Ganesh is 33 and his wife Roopa is 31. They married eight years ago and have been trying to have a baby since the past two years. Frequent visits to their doctor revealed that while Ganesh has a low sperm count, Roopa has ovulating problems. The reasons: long working hours and extremely stressful jobs.

A recent study undertaken by Kanva Diagnostic Centre reveals that today, 20 to 30 per cent of the total numbers of couples planning to conceive discover that they suffer from infertility.

*"The rise in percentage has to do with the increase in stress levels at work and home, resulting in low sperm count and semen disturbances. Prolonged family planning, pollution and the use of pesticides that can cause hormonal disturbances and other new lifestyle-related stress are also responsible. When couples eventually feel they are ready to handle responsibilities and have children, their bodies do not meet the biological requirements," explains gynaecologist Dr Padmini Prasad. *

While couples are already in distress, doctors in the city have identified yet another major drawback. "There is a lack of information and proper counselling for such couples. The word infertility is still considered taboo in most families," says physician Dr M V Venkatappa. "Everyone must realise that infertility is not a disease or curse. It is only a situation that some couples experience," adds Dr Prasad.

"An academy for infertility is being set up in order to help the increasing number of couples with infertility problems. The team will involve around 10 to 12 doctors, each a specialist. For example, we have a psychiatrist, a gynaecologist, a physician, a laboratory specialist etc," says Dr Venkatappa. The academy will organise lectures for couples who need information. After this, the doctors deal with individual problems.

A special section is being set up for women. "No matter what class of society a family belongs to, there are many which ostracise the woman if she cannot bear a child. In such a situation the woman feels physically and mentally drained and requires counselling. Even the general public needs to be constantly educated about the causes and effects of infertility," says Dr Prasad.

The cost factor plays a role. "There are a number of doctors who are out to take you for a ride," says businesswoman Anjum. "When my husband and I found it difficult to start a family, we began knocking on hospital doors. Our doctor advised us to first opt for artificial insemination and when that did not work, we even tried for a test-tube baby. But nothing worked." Ironically, two years after they gave up on having a child, Anjum conceived.

According to Dr Prasad, "In most cases there is absolutely no necessity for a couple to undergo so many technical investigations. Again, it is due to the lack of information that couples land up spending a lot of money. But in serious medical cases, we do advise couples to opt for adoption."

Re: How many kids?

my reasons are simple :
i don't think i'll be able to look after them more properly .....
i don't find that much himmat in me ....i'm already seriosly underweight
i'm all alone in a foreign land with no social circle n no help .....so i will not be doing justice to my children

but then again its all in Allah's will ....if he bestows us with more i will be more than happy to have her/him.

as for today's girls being weak n all ....yeah i agree .....i am still amazed how my mother could handle all of us .....while i can't even think of it

Re: How many kids?

:(

Thanks for that article. I'm going to show it in my class. Girls my age should know this!

:( :( :(