That seems like an extreme place to go that would only seem justified if you can’t imagine wanting a seemingly ridiculous number of kids. So I’ll offer my perspective.
I grew up with an unusually large number of women in my extended family and heard them talk a lot about enjoying or wanting big families. Many of my cousins went on to have as many kids as they had hoped for originally, and they continue to have children, as if it’s a competition. I don’t get this, because I never wanted children of my own. But all I have ever heard is the woman’s side.
My impression in every case is that, if one of them is setting the agenda on the child front, it’s invariably my cousins. I’m not sure how that conversation goes, but these women are all conventionally attractive, and I would guess it doesn’t take much convincing to get unprotected sex from their guy if that’s what they want.
Long short, I’m not too worried about my cousins being tricked into pregnancy. I do sometimes worry that maybe the men (who have meek personalities by comparison, and look more tired each time I see them) might feel like they weren’t given much say, which could lead to relationship problems later, but it’s not really my business.
I didn’t address the point because a lot of my family’s old photos look like this. Twins become more common later. But also i expect the actual age gaps represented in this photo might not be so close. The children on the right are likely not children at all.
Also genetics has to play some part here. Women in my family have relatively few complications in childbirth, and recover more quickly than usual along with their libido apparently, so just a few months between birth and pregnancy is common.
I’m just trying to offer a plausible alternative explanation that I can vouch for so you don’t have to imagine this nightmare.
I fully agree with you re: most of your points, and don’t necessarily disagree otherwise, just trying to not expect the worst of people I don’t know based on a photo <3
That seems like an extreme place to go that would only seem justified if you can’t imagine wanting a seemingly ridiculous number of kids. So I’ll offer my perspective.
I grew up with an unusually large number of women in my extended family and heard them talk a lot about enjoying or wanting big families. Many of my cousins went on to have as many kids as they had hoped for originally, and they continue to have children, as if it’s a competition. I don’t get this, because I never wanted children of my own. But all I have ever heard is the woman’s side.
My impression in every case is that, if one of them is setting the agenda on the child front, it’s invariably my cousins. I’m not sure how that conversation goes, but these women are all conventionally attractive, and I would guess it doesn’t take much convincing to get unprotected sex from their guy if that’s what they want.
Long short, I’m not too worried about my cousins being tricked into pregnancy. I do sometimes worry that maybe the men (who have meek personalities by comparison, and look more tired each time I see them) might feel like they weren’t given much say, which could lead to relationship problems later, but it’s not really my business.
You completely missed the point about the children being so close in age.
It was dangerous and painful for this woman.
I didn’t address the point because a lot of my family’s old photos look like this. Twins become more common later. But also i expect the actual age gaps represented in this photo might not be so close. The children on the right are likely not children at all.
Also genetics has to play some part here. Women in my family have relatively few complications in childbirth, and recover more quickly than usual along with their libido apparently, so just a few months between birth and pregnancy is common.
I’m just trying to offer a plausible alternative explanation that I can vouch for so you don’t have to imagine this nightmare.
My father was the fourteenth child out of sixteen siblings. I’m very familiar with this type of family setup.
Regardless of women who want big families, 16 children is abuse. Both of the mother’s body and of the children as human beings.
I’ve given birth before as well. It is dangerous to have pregnancies back to back.
Women didn’t have nearly as much choice back then.
I fully agree with you re: most of your points, and don’t necessarily disagree otherwise, just trying to not expect the worst of people I don’t know based on a photo <3
That’s fair and sorry to be blunt. Your intent was to see the good and I do appreciate that.
And likewise, I appreciate your vigilance looking out for others who may be oppressed, where bluntness is so often overdue.