Deseret News | Reader comments: Utah's birthrate highest in U.S.

Reader comments
Utah's birthrate highest in U.S.

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Susan | 3:37 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

That is so cool! That means also that in the coming years they will always be a rich state.

Steve | 6:17 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

The interesting thing is that, according to the stats presented, it must absolutely be the choice/decision of most of these mothers. Stacy (photo) doesn't exactly look like she was coerced by her husband. Things are changing in the Church, however. Joseph & Jesse Evans gave a BYU devotional in the late `60s just after the pill was introduced before he was church president. He told us we "would be damned if we didn't have all the children we could". I truly cannot imagine too many talks being given on this subject today, by general authorities or in Sacrament Meetings. Only the Relief Society General Presidency has the courage to endure the harassment issued by the media and many women in the Church today. Members have largely chosen to forget that part of "building the Kingdom on earth". In those days, it was not uncommon to see many families with 8-10 children. Instead, today we see many more member families living in spacious homes, owning 3+ cars, wearing costly apparel, very much into consumption debt, having only 2-3 children. It will be "fun" to read many of the following comments. Thanks for the informative and assuring article.

Samantha | 6:34 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

Utah has always had a larger than the national average family size - so it can't be attributed to just one or two factors; like the higher Hispanic population. I recently completed a college course, Psychology 1100, and found all their "facts" interesting. If I had many children and had them young, then I had a lower IQ. As a mother of 7, and with an IQ of 126 and straight A's in all my college level courses I must be an aberration. Or could some of this negativity about mothers who have children, young and many, be wrong?

Comments continue below

Jack B | 6:48 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

Wow. What a surprise.

Viirginia Brown | 7:03 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

"Perlich adds that . . . Utah 'permanently will have more children per capita than other states.' That coupled with the aging baby boom generation entering retirement years also means that workers in the state 'will be carrying more dependents' than most states and make it a challenge to fund such things as schools."

Of course, that ALSO means that as the parents of those children reach retirement, there WILL be workers to help fund social security, etc., which will be a problem in other areas with lower birthrates.

Families Rock! | 7:32 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

Way to go Utah! Children are the greatest!

Too many variables | 7:39 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

Higher birth rates have existed in Utah for decades. One cannot leap to the assumption that the schools system will suffer based on that one fact alone. The rising rates for leaving the state for employment has an impact. The economy of the state has an impact. Our society is family-based. Values and resources reflect that.

To Virginia Brown | 7:40 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

Social Security is a national program so unless Utah plans to secede, more kids in Utah turning into more workers in Utah is only a drop int he bucket for social security of Utahns.

Shocker | 7:42 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

Is anyone else shocked by this? The only thing shocking about it to me is the fact that they needed to do a study to find this out.

Anonymous | 7:50 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

Yeah but what percentage of Utah babies are born on Medicaid?? Since the local culture encourages early breeding, most these young couples (LDS and Hispanic) are not established enough to truly participate in the "can't feed 'em don't breed 'em" philosphy.

Coug in Mass | 8:03 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

Utah has some of the lowest rates of welfare expenditures in the nation. Thanks for asking.

to anonymous | 8:04 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

what a mental midget. Breeding? You are a jerk! Breeding is for animals!

Mack | 8:13 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

Wonderful family news...!

functional v dysfunctional | 8:19 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

One caregiver per child = one functional family.

source: The American Psychiatric Association

bankruptcies and family size | 8:36 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

The key factor in the high bankruptcy rate may be the large family size that is typical in Utah. More children means more financial stress. This could be a cultural and not purely religious factor, since both Mormon and non-Mormon families in Utah tend to have large families- it's a family oriented state. In any case, having 50% more children per adult than the national average clearly leads to financial stress and higher bankruptcies.

Wow.... | 8:39 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

Must be a slooooow news day. What's next? An arctic expedition to look for ice??

Cautionary note... | 8:40 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

Yes, I remember the talks about "reaping the east wing" if you used the pill or any other form of birth control. You don't hear those talks any more, at all. Now, we are told to use good judgement, take into account your wife's health (mental and physical), financial positon, etc. This is the right advice (finally). Family size has dropped, and that is not all bad. Having kids is wonderful and to be desired. Supporting what we bring into the world is important also and I see poor choices made by many people in this area. Good jobs and good pay are scarce in Utah and I believe it is wise to "plan" your family size accordingly.

Lots of kids in Utah! | 8:43 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

In other news- The Sky Is Blue! This just in: Water is Wet! And the shocking just breaking revolutionary newsflash: The Earth Is Round!

momnmb | 8:46 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

Children wanted, paid for by parents, stay at home mothers... Can't think of a more perfect picture. Go Utah!

Welcome.... | 8:55 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

to Utah. This is old news....

Accountability | 8:56 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

Families and kids are great, however, people need to realize the impact of and being willing to pay to educate all of these children.

NotFromUtar | 8:57 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

Go Family!!! I can already smell the Haters getting there comments ready!!!

whatever | 8:57 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

The last organization on earth I want advise from is the American Psychiatric Association. Bunch of left wing nut jobs over there. Have you done any research on that organization? Look it up before you spout off about things you no nothing about.

More startling news ... | 9:00 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

... Gravity still exists on Earth, perplexing scientists everywhere.

To functional v dysfunctional | 9:01 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

Well, that's good news for the thousands of children who need adoption. I'll go ahead and warn my parents that adopting a seventh child will make them even MORE dysfunctional than they obviously already are. :D

Proud Utahn | 9:02 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

People bash us Utahns for having children, yet look at the rest of the world. They actually pay people in other countries to have children. People can choose as to whether or not they want children and I respect that, but don't rip on people that have a lot of children. Just remember, everyone of you is alive because your parents had you:) Just a thought. I only have one child right now, and it is the hardest, yet most rewarding thing in the world.

Great news | 9:05 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

Commendable when these women wait until AFTER they're married to have kids. The nuclear family is alive and well in Utah.

Joys of Motherhood | 9:07 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

I think this is an awesome statement about amazing mothers in Utah (and anywhere else for that matter). I don't know of anything else that is more rewarding, demanding, and emotionally satisfying as being a mother. I have 5 children (that I paid for and continue to pay for) and can't imagine my life any differently. I don't live in Utah, but I was young (19) when I had my first and I am happily married to all of my children's father. It takes a lot of strength and selflessness to be a mother. Anyone who says differently obviously has never been a good parent.

TO STEVE | 9:16 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

Since when did anyone by the name of Evens become President of the Church???? Get the facts right!
TO Bankruptcies and family size: BUY SMALLER and LIVE CHEEPER!

Karl | 9:17 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

What a wonderfull lifestyle the future kids will have.
Breathing black air.
Rats in a cage.
More crime.
Less space for natinal parks, mountains, less water, more polution of that water.
Oceans dying.
Where are the jobs comming from? What will they pay?
Healthcare?

Oh yes, there is lots of open space near Elko.
Lets hurry and kill the earth, so we can move on.
To heck with future generations.

family is the BEST | 9:21 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

More women who are married, educated, financially stable and choosing to have children are doing so in our state vs national stats! I can't imagine more positive news.

less is more | 9:24 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

Utah's birthrate highest in U.S.?

How utterly tragic!

Go Utah! | 9:36 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

I love big families! :)

Oh Please | 9:44 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

Great. I love kids. Now let's provide them a world-class education. We can do that, but it will take some sacrifice.

Ema | 9:44 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

I know it's not anything new to hear that there are a lot of children in Utah, but 15 babies a day at ONE hospital?! It that rates stays consistent throughout the year, that's more than 5,000 new babies just from that one hospital! Come on, people, that's insane. No wonder the Wasatch Front is filling up with homes and strip malls so quickly. I can't imagine the capacity of this valley being able to match that rate of growth for too much longer. The Earth has already been "replenished" with people; it's time to start being sensible and stop having more than two children per couple.

Roger | 9:49 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

I can't imagine a world where adults outnumber children. It would be a very dull and boring place.

Re: Anonymous | 9:50 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

A couple people already replied but the article clearly said: "[Utah has] the lowest percentage of births to mothers who receive cash public assistance." In other words, fewer mothers have babies on welfare in Utah than in any other state.

Predujicial statement | 10:01 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

What in the world would possess an educated University employee to say this?

"It's clear that Mormon culture is what drives it for the most part," said University of Utah research economist Pam Perlich, who adds the fertility rate in Utah is higher than even in Mexico.

Wow, higher than EVEN in Mexico. That's a demeaning statement no matter how you look at it. On on hand it's a terrible statement about Mexico, implying that they're a third world country and prone to high birthrates (at least somehow subpar to the US) while on the other hand it's implying that Utah is behind the times and lagging behind the rest of the US. No, I'm not Mexican, but to demean an entire country is completely inexcusable, as it is to imply issues with our wonderful state.

Shame on Ms. Perlich for suggesting such issues and shame on the Deseret News for printing it. We deserve more insight and compassion on such issues both from our educated community and from our news outlets.

Robert Oh | 10:03 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

Now if parents could just learn how to control them in public.

Not everyone thinks that crying babies in theaters or tantrums in restaurants and grocery stores is adorable.

Raymond Takashi Swenson | 10:09 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

This reminds me of the recent study by the Pew Trust that surveyed the characteristics of the religious groups in the US. It showed that Catholic family size was close to the national average, while Mormons had the largest families. This suggests that Catholic teaching on birth control and marriage is not followed all that well by many Catholics, and that the more flexible Mormon approach actually produces more children. Finally, it should be noted that birth rates are falling all over the world, including in many developing nations, to the point that population is already shrinking in Europe and Japan, and would be shrinking in the US but for immigration--and Mormons.

CICi | 10:11 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

Please think of the environment before palnting too many seeds.

To Whatever | 10:15 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

Why is the American Psychiatric Association a bunch of nut jobs? Just because they don't agree with your points of view? Are you a mental health professional?

My Kids' Mom | 10:17 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

Note to the experts: The reason more LDS moms stay home is the same reason that we have the kids in the first place. The theology that underlies all our beliefs and values causes us to place a high value on family and a lower value on stuff. There is no amount of stuff in this universe that would make me put my six week old baby in day care. It would have to be starvation or that. Literally.

My children are my treasures.
No, I'm not low-IQ and undereducated. I'm a former National Merit Scholar with a degree.

Actually Clci | 10:35 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

A recent study reported that Caucasians are having so few children that our numbers will soon put us in the minority. It seems we are disinterested in keeping our culture alive, well, and into the next millennium. It seems that Utah, is slightly immune to the trend towards the extinction of the Caucasians.

Unbelievable! | 10:35 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

AND..... Utah has the overall youngest mothers in the nation!

Talk about a baby machine, that starts them young and keeps them going well into middle age.

AND..... Utah has the youngest grandparent population in the nation!

Talk about starting them young and keeping them in the children game.

Utah is the capital of children (i.e. the young mothers and grandparents) raising children..... which accounts for why Utah also logs the highest child abuse/neglect problems in the nation.

And don't get me going on the young pre-30's Utah 'boys' attempting to be fathers...

DR Don | 10:42 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

"Utah's birthrate highest in U.S."

And in other breaking news, the Sun is discovered to rise in the East every morning!

K | 10:57 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

Most hispanics are Catholic and there is a high fertility rate there.

As for the environment I'd rather have more babies than polar bears. Be fruitfull and multiplied. Why is every other animal allowed to populate but not man in the opinion of environmentalists?

Larry J | 11:07 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

While there may be benefits to a growing population, we should look at possible down sides as well. For example, the air quality along the Wasatch Front is getting worse. Hopefully people who encourage large families will also encourage managing resources.

Drug Reps dream | 11:13 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

Maybe this explains Utah's highes per capita use of anti-depressants.

Sasha Pachev | 11:22 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

Great news! In Russia things are desperate enough to where the government now pays families to have and raise children. Russians are beginning to understand something - when you are outnumbered you are in danger of being overpowered. We need to understand this as well.
Having a large family is like driving an emergency vehicle at a high speed. You can get where you need to go very quickly, but only if you are being extra careful. Sloppiness results in an accident. Same with a large family. You have to be extra careful with your finances. You have to make the sacrifices to take the time to teach good values to your children. It is a lot of work but it does pay in the end.

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