Church influence of family size?

[eccentric_rambler]

They came close to guilting people to not use any type of birth control.

I remember hearing a preacher say "Anyone who uses birth control has the spirit of an abortionist". I might lean toward that view, but think it was overstated for effect.

[Ken]

I've never been to any church service that weighed in one way or the other on family size. Not once.

Was not uncommon in Charity back in the day.

The group that we were part of back in the day attracted a lot of ex-Charity types. They came close to guilting people to not use any type of birth control. They had some strange views on some other stuff, too.

I've been to some Catholic church services, especially in Chile, where the priest spoke in euphemisms about the importance of having a "child-friendly family." But that is as far as I've ever seen it taken. And that wasn't so much a church directive on family size as it was a subtle reminder of the Church's official position on birth control and abortion.

I don't recall hearing anything similar in any MC, MCUSA, or CMC church that I have ever attended.

[Soloist]

Some of us actually believe most of prevention methods cause abortion.

The things are generally social pressure on both sides. I’ve heard sermons from both sides in favor of larger families but the social pressure is the primary thing.

I know families on both sides of the debate and both sides have been suggestive to my wife. Either that she doesn’t have enough or has too many. Flack over not being able to handle post-partum or flack that she asks for help and still has children.

[steve-in-kville]

A friend of mine got married a little later in life. They wanted to start a family but had a real hard time conceiving. I remember him telling me how hurtful some of the comments people made. Although well-meaning, some dug pretty deep.

Truth be told, it's no one's business anyway.

[eccentric_rambler]

One of the social pressures that bothers me the most is the attitude that young couples who have their first child before some arbitrary date, such as two years after marriage, are rushing things and don't care enough about their marriage.

[Soloist]

One of the social pressures that bothers me the most is the attitude that young couples who have their first child before some arbitrary date, such as two years after marriage, are rushing things and don't care enough about their marriage.

That’s silly. Do they also expect them to waste a bunch of money investing into their new marriage? Buying all the latest designs and taking vacations?
We had our second on the way by year 2. Anyone who waits is likely using birth control but not always. I certainly pity anyone being harassed who can’t conceive.

[steve-in-kville]

One of the social pressures that bothers me the most is the attitude that young couples who have their first child before some arbitrary date, such as two years after marriage, are rushing things and don't care enough about their marriage.

That’s silly. Do they also expect them to waste a bunch of money investing into their new marriage? Buying all the latest designs and taking vacations?
We had our second on the way by year 2. Anyone who waits is likely using birth control but not always. I certainly pity anyone being harassed who can’t conceive.

But if you have a child too soon, people are looking the calander and doing the math. Don't ask me how I learned this

[Soloist]

But if you have a child too soon, people are looking the calander and doing the math. Don't ask me how I learned this

It’s shameful to have it happen and even more if you don’t seek help. To try to conceal it or like my brother, defiant.

[steve-in-kville]

I like to mess with people and tell them we were married in July and our oldest born in August.... of the following year

[RZehr]

One of the social pressures that bothers me the most is the attitude that young couples who have their first child before some arbitrary date, such as two years after marriage, are rushing things and don't care enough about their marriage.

The idea that babies should be postponed a few years in order to “enjoy life first”, bothers me much more.