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

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Utah's birthrate highest in U.S.

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Doing my part | 11:31 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

I am expecting #6!

See the future | 11:37 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

I respect the rights of others to have as many children as they want and can support. However, I wonder how soon it will be before this continued trend dramatically reduces the quality of life here. If you have ever visited Asia, with huge and growing populations packed tightly into small spaces, you see where Utah, and the USA are headed. I am not criticizing those having children. I respect their choice. The eventual results are obvious, so let's hope we're aware of the choices we are making, not only for ourselves, but for future generations.

common sense | 11:42 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

It is just plain common sense to keep the size of one's family small (especially in these inflationary and unsettling times).
Children need to have their normal attention needs met while growing up.

Competing siblings from overly-large families cannot possibly get these healthy needs met and problems always appear later on in life for these people.

Comments continue below

magnus | 11:49 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

@ predjudicial statement

What's demeaning about haveing a culture that encourages having children. I'm not sure what you are getting at but having lots of kids is nothing to be ashamed of.

@Karl

Easy there, you're depressing me. Truth is in the US the air is getting cleaner, there is more protected land and ocean than ever before and more being done to prevent further damage.

I think we should be more worried about how we treat each other than how we are treating the earth, but that's just me.

@ Ema

You know they do that in China, and the people hate it. How about you be sensible and I'll be happy with my kids.

@TO STEVE

I agree that we should be buying smaller and living cheaper but there is one thing that simply must be stated.....

The leading cause of bankrupcy in this country is health care expenses, and may who go bankrupt actually have insurance. Children and the elderly are biggest users of the health care system.

I don't think that this relationship should be ignored when talking about the high rate of bankrupcy in Utah.

From Tooele to Cache Valley | 11:53 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

I find it amazing that only one other person wondered when the LDS Church had a president named Joseph Evans. I don't remember reading about him in any of my church history books or hearing about him in church history classes.
As for large families, I've never understood the mentality of people who vocally criticize people for having children - such as the person in Logan a few months ago who was kicked off public transportation busses for hasseling moms with "too many" children.
Utah's major export is our highly educated young people - leavening the whole earth.

Michael | 12:10 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008

More American children means more polluters and exploiters of the earth's resources. Shame on you Utah for your contribution to overpopulation and global warming. Your should be taxed to purchase carbon offsets!

Chance | 12:15 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008

Functional vs. dysfunctional...No offence, but your comments to not apply to the LDS crowd. Gratefully, we in the LDS church do not model our families after the American Psychiactric org. We have our own creed and it works great. 9 times out of 10, Disfunctional families are a product of disfunctional parenting. That is where the LDS excel...join up and you will help to stop the vicious cycles.

Mom (and loving it) | 12:18 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008

I'm a 30 year old mother of 5, with a 29 year old husband. I've seen a "pre-30" man be a father successfully. It can be done, with sacrifice. The rewards are great.

As for the comments about large families hurting the environment. My husband is one of 13 kids. His family has only ever driven two cars and they have one city garbage can that is collected from there house each week. How many 2-3 children families, or no children families even, can say that? There are two doctors, one nurse, two MBAs, a registered dietician, and an attorney all contributing greatly to society. I agree that we should take care of our world, but I'm so sick and tired of people accusing large families of being a burden. It is certainly not the case from my experience.

the more the holier? | 12:29 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008

Just one more reason to feel tremendous compassion for our LDS brothers and sisters.

It sounds to me that there are those that feel the larger the family - the closer to God you are.

A very sad scenario.

From Seattle | 12:33 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008

It's great to hear about a group that is not so cynical about the future that they consider children a necessary inconvenience, to be bred in the lowest possible numbers. You go Utah! Light the way.

Mertonian | 12:39 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008

Chance>The LDS do a fine job raising good families. Just remember that there are others that aren't LDS that also do a fine job.

It's natural to raise and care for our kids. I don't need a Church to tell me how, it comes naturally....

Most cultures and traditional institutions provide a frame work that helps parents. But the responsibility still falls on the parents.

Enough and to spare | 12:42 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008

When a person says "there are too many people on the planet", they are really saying "there are too many people OTHER THAN ME on the planet".

For real world evidence, take a nice cross country drive to see that "there is enough and to spare" in this wonderful country. I just passed through Montana and Washington state on vacation, and can tell you that there is still lots of room out there.

Our problem isn't the quantity of people, it's the quality.

Yale Grad | 12:44 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008

Everyone (other than me) who is commenting on this "story" had better get a job and a life so they can start dating, marrying, and having children and success.

Your comments, and the fact that you make them at all, are comical.

Remember: | 1:01 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008

Condoms are cheaper than children.

Dave in Midvale | 1:06 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008

I've scanned most of the comments and I did notice lots of "NO DUH!" comments. But didn't notice anyone asking "HOW MUCH DID THE GOVERNMENT ACTUALLY PAY TO FIND THIS OUT???" Moocho money to discover the obvious.

father of 6 | 1:15 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008

I find the typical responses here by the population preachers to be very arrogant, presumptive and idiotic. My wife just gave birth to our 6th child, and we aren't Mormon or Utahn and we are not on any kind of public assistance. Family and esp families with many children are the backbone of a great society. Read about what the Japanese are dealing with now that their population is aging and they have the lowest birth rate. What will become of America if our birth rates continue to drop! Children of large families learn how to share, how to care; they learn the world doesn't evolve around self. Larger families often sacrifice material possesions but abound in love and many kinds of happiness. Children are a blessing from God and it's a geat thing to know that the Lord has seen to bless me in this way. I commend the Utahns and Mormons for not yeilding to the social pressure bought on by the anti-children mentality mentality so prevalent. signed- a Catholic dad

Non LDS | 1:20 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008

Another example of the short sighted Mormon culture in Utah. People living for the hereafter and having no regard for the environment nor economics of high birth rates. Arenï¿½t 6 billion miracles enough. Having babies should not be an addiction.

Baby capital of the U.S. | 1:26 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008

"Yes, we are a peculiar people."

- Gordon B. Hinckley, November 9, 1997

To cautionary note: | 1:41 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008

Only part of what you wrote is correct; yes, we are to use good judgment and take the health of the moter into acct when planning families. But NO, not financially. We are not told to put it off until more financially secure. If people did this there would be no children, ever. There is NEVER EVER enough money in having/raising children! We are also told not to put off having children in favor of careers, education, jobs. Nothing should take precedence! These are the words of Sis Beck, RS Gen Pres, who spoke at a recent BYU-I graduation I attended. Just because it isn't spoken from the pulpits too much anymore, the Church's position has not changed. To have families is the purpose of marriage and it states clearly in the Family Proclamation the command to Adam and Eve to multipy and replenish the earth is still in force today. Children are an heritage to the Lord, and kudos to the young men and women who have children in faith and obedience. They will be blessed. People who put it off are not living up to their responsibilities and it has been made clear there will be accoutability.

Proven fact | 1:46 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008

Abortion is cheaper than welfare.

overcrowding solution | 1:57 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008

You can already see and feel the "solution" to overcrowding in this state. It takes the form of telling everyone not on the prevailing-think bandwagon to MOVE. That will open up housing for future generations including most of Salt Lake. Then to further encourage others not of like mind to evacuate, attack them in their home and permanently damage them. This will clear out a lot of undesirables and open up more housing.

The plan is in motion. Beware.

step outside of yourself | 1:59 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008

When parents can step outside of themselves and realize they cannot possibly meet the emotional, attention and financial needs of more than enough children-
everyone will be better off.

En Hedu'Anna | 2:02 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008

To Steve -
Who are Joseph and Jessie Evans? And when was he president of the church? Never heard of him, but I don't know everything about your church. Was someone else the prophet while he was president?

to Chance | 2:05 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008

Sadly dysfunction is as alive and well in LDS homes as in any other. Doing genealogy opened my eyes to the ongoing generations of dysfunction on both sides of my family. Like attracts like. Sadly the history of marriage in the LDS culture engendered mistreatment of wives and children in some families. Many of these groups intermarried and the faulty traditions were passed on. There is a long trail of heartache and abuse in my family history which we are just bringing out into the light of day. It is a tough challenge for those of us today to deal with, but we are and most of us have hope it will end the secrets and lies and lead to healthier families and individuals. This is a big challenge for us to overcome.

7 kids here | 2:07 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008

I love the antidepressant argument. The reality is Utah is not the most depressed state. It is the state that most gets treatment for depression. Its the state trying to resolve life's issues with professionals. That's really not a bad thing.

Oh and the population bomb disciples should know it is such a bogus bumper sticker argument with no real basis of fact or history to support it. Resources come from human ingenuity. Human innovation has always been our best resource. If you want more innovation, you need more humans. Most problems are the result of trying to solve other problems. Life is a fix it game, we need more fixers.

So keep them babies coming!!!

Jared | 2:26 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008

"Competing siblings from overly-large families cannot possibly get these healthy needs met and problems always appear later on in life for these people."

Actually, research shows nothing of the sort. In fact, there is evidence that children in large families are better-adjusted emotionally and have fewer behavioral problems than children from smaller families. Of course, maybe people with larger families tend to be religious and it is the religiosity that helps people do better behaviorally and emotionally. Either way, large families are good. The earth has plenty of room for all the kids people want. We just don't always have room for people to be as wasteful as they are. We should focus on managing our resources better and taking better care of the earth rather than worrying about how many children people have.

Old Lady | 2:34 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008

Didn't marry til I was middle aged & didn't have any children. Still agree with "Whatever" and disagree with "functional vs dysfunctional" & "To Whatever. I regulary deal with mental health professionals.

awesomeron | 2:49 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008

This is good that the people of Utah are so busy!!

compromise | 3:04 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008

Having children is wonderful. What's wrong with having 2-3 children? If you have a strong need to have more than that, why can't you adopt them? That way it's a win-win, you get your large family, and children who would otherwise grow up in a miserable situation get a loving family. Good for society!

hey non-lds | 3:17 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008

Utahns are not The Great Drain on the environment. You might want to attack the Chinese atheists or various other areas of the world as far more problematic. Based on recent numbers, Utah might actually be helping the population.

paa | 3:35 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008

Good for you, Utah! The world needs more children with stable families who are raised to have respect and love for their fellow men, and for all of God's creations. Maybe there is some hope for the future after all.

Bill | 3:36 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008

Good for Utah! Too many sophisticats think that there are too many births!

Low birthrate = the decline of society.

The US currently leads the free world with a fertility rate of only 2.11 (thanks in large part to Mormons and Hispanic Catholics). A rate of 2.1 live births per mother is required to sustain a population. Anything less = decline. The rest of the free world is below 1.5, but many Muslim nations (NATIONS, not women) average 7 live births per mother.

This is serious business. The trend in government worldwide is toward entitlements that require a robust working population. As birthrates fall no one will be around to work and pay taxes - governments and cultures will collapse or disappear.

Youth are the next generation leaders. USA only has 21% of its population under 15 years of age. UK 18%, Germany 14%, Saudi Arabia 39%, Pakistan 40%, Yemen 47%.

Worldwide demographics are on the move. Whose ideals and teachings will dominate 50 years from today?

Anonymous | 3:43 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008

It's only my opinion, but the Plan of Salvation as taught in the LDS Church is the best "pro-life" argument I've ever heard.

Anonymous | 5:40 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008

And the Salt Lake valley continues to get a little more crowded, and a little more crowded, and a little more ...

Sheesh... | 6:00 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008

To those so overly concerned with the environment, overpopulation, etc.. what makes you so special? If more people being here is bad, why are you still here? What makes you worth having on the planet, but the next person not?

I can always count on comments here bringing a laugh. You haven't failed me yet.

Rick | 6:08 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008

Some view children as a liability. They only measure them by the dollars they consume. For me, father of five children, all grown, I see them as a source of joy, love, inspiration, and hope. I worked harder, as most fathers do, because I wanted to feed my family. I had a purpose that kept me going through the tough times. I saw siblings help each other. As my children grew they would help their parents. Now, college educated, they are contributing back to society to help raise the next generation.

For over forty years I've been unimpressed by the argument that there is not enough. In that time all the predictions of doom and gloom never came to pass. There really is "enough and to spare."

I have enjoyed reading all your comments.

heehee | 6:34 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008

The counsel from the Church was to avoid ARTIFICIAL methods of birth control right after the pill came out. There were enough hormones in those to sterilize a horse. I knew women who did use the pill and iud's and suffered permanent damage and couldn't have children afterwards. NO where have I ever heard church leaders say to have more kids than you can handle. Some families max out at 2-3 and some at 8-10. Just know your limits and don't have more than you can afford to feed, clothe, teach and SUPERVISE.

Family Values | 6:52 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008

If God's work and glory is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of us (his children) what does that tell us about what our pursuit of happiness ought to be? My greatest joy has been my children! Not my furniture, not my car, my job or my house! I feel sorry for people CHOOSE not to have children..highest form of selfishness!

Shem | 7:19 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008

To the person who said that it's was demeaning to state that Mexico has a high birth rate-

Your criticism is misplaced. She wasn't saying anything demeaning about Utah women or Mexican women. It is a demographic fact that developed countries (like the US) have significantly lower birth rates than developing countries (like Mexico). She was just pointing out that Utah is an aboration from this norm.

She is guilty of implying that the US a developed country and Mexico is a developing country. This is a fact of economics and makes no statement about the race or quality of the individuals who live there.

There IS a choice... | 7:44 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008

Just me, but nowadays I'm so grateful for the gift of infertility that gave me one biological child and one adopted. Having children was the most expensive and most exhaustive thing I have ever done. If others were honest, I think they'd also admit that.

Being raised LDS, I believed that having children was absolutely essential in order to be fulfilled and happy. Now being older and wiser, I realize that I could have been an absolutely AMAZING aunt. Many of my nieces and nephews could have benefited from some extra love and attention, but I was just too tired to care.

Of course I love my two kids, and I'm happy to have them, but knowing what I know now, there are a lot of things I would have done differently. Just wish I had known that their IS A CHOICE. Not EVERYONE needs to be a parent--some of us could be just as happy being childfree.

Birth control is okay | 7:53 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008

Reading these posts from those who have umpteen children, and from those who most likely came from the same overcrowded family situation comes this thought:

misery doesn't love company - it demands it.

Anonymous | 8:05 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008

In response to:

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.

Actually Susan, increased population is a leading indicator of poverty and social declince. Utah is a desert state with the second lowest totals of average annual rainfalls, yet the state has the highest per capita use of water. In addition to poverty issues, Utahns are going to have to settle for much browner lawns, among other things.

Re Drug Reps Dream | 8:31 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008

Actually 2 great papers have already explained Utah's high use of anti-depressants:

1) Latter-day Saints don't "self-medicate" underlying mental healthcare conditions with alcohol

2) Utah is a standard deviation ahead of the the national average in education level per household. Latter-day Saints seek out competent healthcare and are treated at a rate far ahead of the national average- a sign of education.

Enough and to Spare | 8:35 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008

A few years ago a man named Norman Borlaug began experimenting with using fertilizers to increase food production in the face of increasing world population and what seemed certain mass starvation. His invention was to use anhydrous ammonia, a source of nitrogen plant food that is now credited with increasing world food supply sufficient to allow over 1 billion people to eat. It was called the "green revolution". The next "green revolution" is already here abeit in its infancy. It is called genetic engineering of plants! This new technology will feed billions more of our Father in Heaven's children and some believe a "gift" to His children. Those who decry not enough food and space,perhaps should consider that He who "feeds the sparrows" will not forget you or your children!

Former Utah Teacher | 8:45 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008

I'm all for Utah's high birthrate and large families,even though not EVERYONE in UTAH is blessed with such blessings. As a former Utah Teacher, let me help ya'll out with something:

80-90% of Utah families HAVE NEVER been able to afford to fund THEIR OWN CHILD'S full education. EVER!! SO--think about that the next time you say that you "paid for your child". Utah mothers are great, BUT UTAH TEACHERS WHO HAVE TO DEAL WITH "STACK EM' DEEP, AND TEACH EM' CHEAP" economics, with the constant threat of public funding for private educations (ha ha--you mean a small tiny amount toward those very expensive private educations) and charter schools that are "supposedly" better-even though statistics have repetitively shown THIS IS NOT TRUE,(and don't even get me started on making up for poor home-schooling) are the ones who should be THANKED for being the SLAVES for the large families and many children in UTAH. In almost EVERY OTHER STATE IN THE NATION, teachers are neither paid nor treated as horribly for working their BUTTS off for SO MANY UNGRATEFUL PEOPLE!
So-think about thanking your local public education teacher, who educates so many, for so little!!

What causes poverty? | 8:48 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008

Some have said that "over population" results in poverty. This is not true! Studies done in most every state have shown that the largest group of people living in poverty in America are single mothers! The FBI did a study that found that some 70% of crimes committed in America are committed by young men who have no father in their home. It would locigally follow that the solution to poverty and crime is to live the law of chasity and family values! Population clearly has nothing to do with poverty! God has already given us the cure for poverty is and always has been the law of chasity! As He has always done, He gives us the law..our agency and the consequences of disobedience! The consequences of disobedience to the law of chastity are poverty and crime!

Susan T. | 9:04 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008

I home schooled my children because of what they WERE leaning at school and it wasn't because the schools were overcrowded or not funded enough! "Heather has two mommies" is not a good education! As you can guess, I don't live in Utah, but I wish I did!

mother of 8 | 9:05 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008

Fifty years ago scientists claimed the earth was heading into an ice-age now its global warming all caused by humans. We've been hearing about over population for eons. Obviously the scientists are not in control but a much higer power is.....more people more inovation,invention and happiness. many today think their problems come from what others do they are into the blame game. Do you think that because other people have several children it is inhibiting you in some way? Grow up and take responsibility and do what you are supposed to be doing and stop wining about what others are doing. Bless those in our state who know the wonders of large families....I know plenty of families of 1 or 2 children and they have just as many problems and challeges of those w/more children....THAT'S CALLED LIFE

Some Points | 9:06 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008

Yes there are LDS couples who get married in the temple with no intentions of having children - their choice no medical reason for them not to try. I know one such couple and their reason for not receiving these wonderful blessing in their home? Because they want to focus just on each other and their needs and wants.

B) the reason why there are few low-income families receiving financial assistance is because if the dad is in the home the family doesn't qualify for the help. Also the state makes it very hard for single mom's to get help from them. If the mom knows who the father is she will get little to no assistance as they will go after the punitive father for child support.

And yes the very first commandment given to Adam and Eve was "Be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth" it is still in full effect. A

To what causes poverty.. | 9:14 p.m. Aug. 19, 2008

I think what causes poverty is not being smart enough to figure out how to make enough money to live--either getting an education, having some special talent or skill, or finding someone else who is willing to support you.

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