But the chimney sweep kids are “living it up”, as they’re learning an important trade!

The cancers those chimney sweep kids got were horrific. Last Podcast on the Left recently did a deep dive into chimney sweeps and it was eye-opening. Highly recommend listening if you're into that kind of thing.

I was just recommending a podcast episode lol

Young boys and girls used to wear the same outfits and they were passed down. Look closely at the photo.

If you're interested, I highly recommend "The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper" by Hallie Rubenhold!

I'm sorry you were forced to be in that position.

My dad was number 14. He was once asked for advice by a man who had several children already and wanted more. My dad's advice?

"Stop."

My dad went on to explain that this guy was already neglecting his current children and that it was abuse to continue. Because there simply isn't enough time and resources available.

Your mom is a POS

Now double it for this woman and my grandmother. It’s insane.

Also, women didn't really get much of a say in the matter.

100%

What else if there to but fuck?

Damn, the amount of people here who don't understand where the phrase "keep em barefoot and pregnant" comes from...

Literally "if you keep them pregnant constantly, they will have no need for shoes because they will never leave the home."

~~You are most likely right, but given there are trad wife's now adays, it isn't impossible that some women wanted that. And unless there are more specific information from her family on her choices, chances are, we will never know. And as much as I don't want to deny past sexual violence, I also don't want to deny agency. ~~

After writing it I realize it is a shit opinion because even the most trad wifeliest today, with more resources and healthcare do not go for so many children. And I now agree with you fully.

You’re most likely right. Though, she is holding twins in the picture I think. Depending on genetics, it’s possible that a few of the other siblings are also twins. But that’s still a hell of a lot of pregnancies, and twin pregnancies are generally harder and riskier than singles, so… yeah that’s not really any consolation.

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.

Definitely not free, little fuckers are expensive AF :D