Why Did Older Generations Have Larger Families?
Looking at historical examples, such as my great-grandmother who had 15 children from the age of 20 to 47, we can gain insight into the reasons why older generations chose to have larger families. This phenomenon extends beyond a single anecdote, reflecting broader societal and cultural influences. In the early 20th century and earlier, the number of children in a family was often significantly larger than what is commonly seen today.
The Role of Religious Texts
The Bible, specifically Genesis 1:28, emphasizes the divine imperative to ‘Be fruitful and multiply’. This religious text played a crucial role in influencing family planning decisions. The scripture's repeated emphasis on procreation underscored the belief that large families were a sign of God's blessing and the responsibility of all human beings to populate the earth.
Reliability of Early Birth Control Methods
The earliest forms of birth control were far less reliable than today's methods. Contraception was not widely available or consistent. For a long time, doctors hesitated to prescribe birth control to unmarried women, and to married women only with the consent of their husbands, and often after they had given birth to a few children. The societal and moral norms of the time heavily influenced these decisions, making family planning a more complex and less accessible process.
High Child Mortality Rates
The early 19th century saw high child mortality rates. In the United States, for example, the under-5 mortality rate was an alarming 463 deaths per 1000 births, roughly a 46% chance of a child surviving until the age of five. Factors contributing to these high rates included congenital issues, pregnancy complications, respiratory diseases, and a variety of infectious diseases such as measles, mumps, influenza, yellow fever, and tuberculosis. Poor hygiene, outhouses, and contaminated water sources also played a role in spreading illnesses.
Family Necessity and Economic Benefits
In rural settings, large families were often seen as a necessity for the economic survival of the household. Farmer families relied on their sons to help with labor as their father aged, while daughters learned essential household skills from their mothers. When families migrated to cities to work in factories, they ensured that children would bring home wages that could supplement the family income, with the eldest child often receiving an allowance to cover their needs.
Poor Families and The Benefits of Large Families
In poorer rural provinces like New Brunswick, it was not uncommon to find families with ten or twelve children. Such families often relied on hunting and farming for food. For instance, in the fall, a successful draw for a moose license could provide a great deal of meat, while deer licenses and simple hunting and fishing could supplement the family's diet. Additionally, raising pigs, beef cattle, and numerous chickens ensured a steady supply of eggs and meat. These additional food sources helped stretch the resources available in the home, especially when there were numerous mouths to feed.
Modern Context and Concluding Thoughts
The advent of modern birth control methods, notably the introduction of the contraceptive pill by the Food and Drug Administration in 1960, marked a significant shift in family planning. The pill introduced a more reliable and convenient method of preventing unwanted pregnancies, leading to a gradual decrease in the average size of families over the decades.
Understanding the historical context behind larger family sizes helps us appreciate the challenges and motivations of our ancestors. While technology and societal norms have evolved, it is essential to remember these lessons to make informed decisions about family planning in our own times.