Deseret News | Census survey shows Utahns marry younger, have more children

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Census survey shows Utahns marry younger, have more children

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Alaska | 11:45 a.m. Sept. 23, 2008

I liked this article and I think your statistics are great. If there is anything in the Deseret News that is over reported it is sports. I get really tired of sports being the top headlines every day. I glad there are sports but it I get tired of the emphasis on them. It's refreshing to have something positive reported.

Well.... | 11:52 a.m. Sept. 23, 2008

Welcome to Utah, where giving birth is no big deal.....LOL!!

Trent in the Bay Area | 12:08 p.m. Sept. 23, 2008

To all the people filled with negativity,

People who live in Utah and rip on Utah should move to Italy and tell them what a great country it would be if not for all the annoying Catholics. Or move to the South and complain about all the Baptists.

If you don't like the culture in Utah, come join us in the Bay Area. We should be diverse enough for you. But don't come here and complain about the cost of living because it shouldn't come as a surprise that it's expensive. Just as it shouldn't come as a surprise that Utah is filled with Mormons. I like the diversity of California, but when I was in Utah for school I liked the culture there too.

Find a culture you like and live there and quit living someplace that you somehow don't like. If you love the geography of Utah, learn to like Mormons. They are actually pretty nice and they aren't going anywhere anytime soon.

One quick question, why do people who dislike Mormons read the Deseret News? Seems odd.

Comments continue below

Anonymous | 12:18 p.m. Sept. 23, 2008

who cares!!! Mormons are always going to have lots of kids!

One Problem | 12:23 p.m. Sept. 23, 2008

Utah has always lead the nation in these "family values" ratings. But one part of it has never been a positive in my opinion - the young age of marriage.

I am an attorney. I am not a divorce lawyer but know several who practice in Utah and routinely hear that there is a high percentage of young LDS couples who get divorced. I think this is largely because of the pressure to marry so quickly. So many young LDS women go to college to major in finding their RM as soon as possible. But no matter your religious affiliation there can be marital problems if you marry quickly before really getting to know the other person.

You would think the divorce rate in Utah would be coorespondingly positive but it is not. For a state that scores off the charts in "family values" issues, Utah has always been at or often just above the national average for divorce rates. For a culture that so highly values marriage and family the only explanation IMO is the cultural emphasis on young and quick marriages. Family values can remain intact even if our youth slow down a bit before jumping into marriage.

on the other hand... | 12:23 p.m. Sept. 23, 2008

I know of many LDS families who pay little to no income tax due to their tithing payments to the church. So even though you may pay property tax, you are a burden on society. My co-worker with 2 kids gets more back on his taxes than he pays into the system in the 1st place. So instead of going to support education or anything else, the tax $ of others is going to people like him. So I fail to see how these people can claim to be "self-supporting".

Guayaco | 12:23 p.m. Sept. 23, 2008

Natural selection at its finest. Behold, the future.

From LA | 12:26 p.m. Sept. 23, 2008

When I go to Utah, I love seeing the big families and the children having fun (and creating a little chaos in the process). A friend of mine has three children and is frequently chided by others because of that. A lot of progressives that I know have no children. If you are happy with a lot of children, great! If you are happy with no children, that's great too!

Two things you need to see | 12:48 p.m. Sept. 23, 2008

1. Dr. Albert Bartlett's Exponential Growth video on youtube and elsewhere

2. the film "Idiocracy"

LeeAnne W. | 12:50 p.m. Sept. 23, 2008

Some Mormons don't have a lot of kids. I only had one. However, I have never fit into the Mormon rubber mold either, Which is good for me, because I seem to get along better with people from all walks of life and not just with Mormons. I also had time meaning I wasn't blessed with a bunch kids to seek a career and learn to do for myself. I am happy my life is how it is....which is darn good!

Mother of 13 | 12:51 p.m. Sept. 23, 2008

I commented earlyer and am unsure of why my post hasn't shown up yet, so I will sum it up.
As a mother with a college education, who has be privilaged to stay at home and raise my 13 chidren, who are positive and productive members of their own personal and public lives, my husband and I made an educated decision to have a large family. We have also choosen to seek ways to provide for others less fortunate than ourselves. We have worked hard to provide for our children, avoided any credit debt and own and are responible for our choices. We have taught them to do the same. Yes we may have stuggled from time to time and had to pool our resorces as a family, but we all do at some point or another. Maybe if people would step back for a moment and spend less time judging others, trying to find away to justfy their own sense of security or worthyness, and just see it for what it is, a choice, we would all be better as individuals and as a society. Kudos to you for what ever your choices are. JUST OWN THEM.

Red | 12:52 p.m. Sept. 23, 2008

Hey, on the other hand . . ., you can get the same benefit by donating to your favorite charity as Mormons get paying tithing. As I recall there isn't a special section on the 1040 set aside for Mormon tithing.

And as far as those who say the results are off because Mormons go to the Church for help before they go to government, isn't that actually a good thing?

16 in AZ | 12:57 p.m. Sept. 23, 2008

I am the father of 16. 9 adopted and 7 of our own. (27 to 3) 6 are from Asia. 5 have special needs. 3 were foster children (difficult) and yes I had to pay for most of these kids. Only 11 are at home. The 3 oldest have graduated from college. We live in a nice 8 bedroom home, live very frugally and our main vehicle is a 15 passenger BMW van. (Bigger Mormon Wagon).
I am not on welfare and never have been. The Government nor Oprah is helping me. My wife has a Masters Degree, stays at home and wears shoes. I have a BS and have worked hard for 28+ years to support this mob. We pay taxes just like all (OK not as much) and are very active in the community and schools. We have our problems and issues but not compared to the fun and great times.

We get tired of people generalizing how and what a big family is like. We consider ourselves normal and those that know us would agree but I guess it would be hard to explain that to those that do not have such a large family.

Interesting | 1:06 p.m. Sept. 23, 2008

We have seven kids, pay substantial income tax and pay a full tithing. Paying tithing doesn't even come close to negating your tax burden. Our children pay their own way through college, as did we. We have one school-age child at home. Our property taxes cover far more than his "per pupil" allocation (I checked), and we are happy to be supporting other students in the public system. We also pay a substantial "Fast" offering every month to help fund the church welfare program. I like the church's welfare system because it encourages family support first, and has a built-in "work ethic" policy for those who receive funds. Incidentally, I grew up as a happy only-child. It's all good!

granpa | 1:14 p.m. Sept. 23, 2008

Hey more grand kids to love is a blessing to us and the nation! The selfish people that think they should make themselves richer by not giving their talents and gifts to children are doomed to live their lives alone and be sad in the end. It does not matter how much we have in the bank if we have not family to share what we have with them. Welove having sons and daughters and grandsons and daughters all around helping and sharing with them. Sad is a selfish person with money and little or no family around. More is more joy now and forever!

Gordon S | 1:27 p.m. Sept. 23, 2008

All pregnant women are beautiful. I admire people who take pride in children as opposed to purely material posessions.

Sure, Red | 1:35 p.m. Sept. 23, 2008

and if everyone donated to their church and paid no taxes, then what? Your ignorance is scary..

Something to be proud of | 1:41 p.m. Sept. 23, 2008

Those of you who are ashamed of Utah's emphasis on family, claiming that the taxpayers are "footing the bill" are not seeing the whole story. Yes, Utah has the biggest families (duh?), but did you realize that Utah is ranked 6th in people over 25 completing high school and 45th in percent of people receiving cash public assistance. It is not too much of a stretch to see the results of these large families are a more educated population and one that relies on LESS money from the government. That is something to be proud of!!!

florida resident | 1:48 p.m. Sept. 23, 2008

It never ceases to amaze me as I read the Deseret News how many people who chose to live there complain about the LDS Church and the articles the Deseret News chooses to print. I am struck with how quick you are to judge and yet you continue to live there and read the printed news. Something about the state and the news keeps you coming back. Either you really do like it or don't have enough to think about/do alternatively or you are addicted to commenting negatively on the news. I say hurray for Utah, Hurray for the D.N and Hurray for the people in Utah who maintain high standards for families, community and their belief systems. It's what makes others want to live there whether you admit it or not. If you don't like Dodge then get out of town. Be happy or change where you are and what you do.

The observer | 1:57 p.m. Sept. 23, 2008

The report also stated that the number of gay and lesbian couples in Utah has grown in much greater numbers than would be justified based on national statistics. Now that would be newsworthy. Telling us what we already know is not. Then it could be called the Deseret News. Now it is only the Deseret Self-Congratulating Paper.

Who'll read? | 2:07 p.m. Sept. 23, 2008

Great parents should have lots of kids. Our town had a Catholic family with 12 kids. They have had an amazing impact on our community sports,service,and leadership. Selfish lousy parents should have no kids or stick to pets.

Heidi | 2:18 p.m. Sept. 23, 2008

I may be being repetitive but THIS IS NOT NEWS!

To: On the other hand | 2:24 p.m. Sept. 23, 2008

You'll be grateful one day for all of the unselfish parents who raise children into productive citizens. The tax breaks that parents recieve are nothing compared to the physical, emotional and financial costs of raising a child properly. These children will produce the goods, services and social security taxes that we will all need in our old age to survive. Be grateful that someone is willing to make that sacrifice - too many are too selfish these days to "tie themselves down" with children.

p.s. The federal and state income taxes that you refer to are nothing compared to the Social Security/Medicaid/Medicare taxes that most of us pay. Today's children will pay into that system their entire lives and will get a fraction of what they put in out. You will get more of it than they will.

Are humans smarter than yeast? | 2:48 p.m. Sept. 23, 2008

Yeast cultures reproduce until they exhaust their food supply resulting in a rapid die off, or until their waste reaches toxic levels resulting in a rapid die off. We are racing towards a similar fate with the Catholics and Mormons leading the way.

Re Divorce Rate | 2:54 p.m. Sept. 23, 2008

I too think we need to look at why the divorce rate in Utah is so much higher than expected. We score high in healthy living and as a result also have a population that tends to live longer. But the divorce rate does not match in the same way. You would think a state that leads the nation in marital issues would also have one of the lowest divorce rates. There are routinely 25-30 states with lower divorce rates than Utah - all of which score lower than Utah in these family issues. It does not match. Certainly the LDS Church does not encourage divorce so I agree that it must be tied to the encouragement of fast and young marriages. You know - "great mission elder, now get home and find that wife." OR from a BYU GA talk I still recall - "if any of you young men are not actively seeking a wife, you are not honoring your priesthood." Hmmm - me thinks there is a connection.

Respect | 3:25 p.m. Sept. 23, 2008

Last I knew, this was a free country. People can choose to have 0 to whatever number of children they want. Go to Europe where they are begging people to have children because of the past several years of frowning upon it. The thing that kills me is how some people frown upon those that have children, regardless of the amount of children. HOW ARE YOU ALIVE?!?! We, Utahns, are paying plenty of taxes even with tithing. Millions of dollars donated to our church are used to aid all walks of life in the U.S. and in the world. Having children is far from selfish. It is one of the most selfless acts.

GEE, I'm so wonderful! | 3:31 p.m. Sept. 23, 2008

Well, I see that the holier than thou, arrogant, boastful, better than everyone else group are on here. Don't you people ever get over yourselves????? It's all about ME ME ME ME ME ME!!! I suppose GOD loves ONLY you who think so highly and wonderfully of yourselves. I wished you knew how "ungodly" your bragging can be.

ENJOY YOURSELVES... No one else does!

FROM: Someone who cannot have children.

I love it !! | 3:47 p.m. Sept. 23, 2008

I love being in an area where it is legal and in fashion to rant against members of the LDS church.

I've lived all over the country and have traveled the world and I cannot think of a place, both in the states and overseas, where such an ethic and behavior is tolerated.

Nobody would dare print rants about "Jews" or "Baptists", or heaven forbid, "Muslims".

As a health care worker in primary health care, I'll share this oberservation with the LDS bashers(by the way, I'm a Catholic):

I have seen more at-risk children coming from single parent-public assistance families (that's welfare- medicaid in PC talk) with substance abusing adults with poor parental skills and little education than I have seen from large, two parent LDS families with family values and stability.

But it's more fun and more acceptable to bash members of the LDS church and their family size instead of addressing the real problems that families face today.

Break time | 3:57 p.m. Sept. 23, 2008

My mother had 14 children and died having the 14th one. She left the responsibility of raising all her brats to the older siblings after her death. Not a good thing, because after raising all my own brothers and sisters ...I DID NOT WANT ANY MORE KIDS!

SlowS.ureI am | 4:17 p.m. Sept. 23, 2008

I'm just visiting this state and I think everything you do here is fantastic.

Blah Blah Blah! | 4:20 p.m. Sept. 23, 2008

A very stupid article! Who care!

liberal Larry | 4:23 p.m. Sept. 23, 2008

There has been a steady decline in the quality of life in Salt Lake Valley, over the last 35 years. Most of that is due to the increased population. Salt Lake was recently ranked the 8th most stressful city in the country, again, this is mainly a result of the higher population density, which creates more traffic, air pollution, crowding, etc. I feel sorry for the children born today, who will have to live on this over populated planet.

Bart | 4:55 p.m. Sept. 23, 2008

If you people want to have large families then go ahead that is your business, but make sure however, that you can support your children and not be looking for welfare and handouts. I hate child abuse!

yes we are | 5:26 p.m. Sept. 23, 2008

Are humans smarter than yeast said:

"Yeast cultures reproduce until they exhaust their food supply resulting in a rapid die off, or until their waste reaches toxic levels resulting in a rapid die off. We are racing towards a similar fate with the Catholics and Mormons leading the way."

Did you not read the post on world population declines? It is a serious thing. Parts of Europe are in such a population decline that that they will eventually cease to exist or they will be overrun by other cultures that do believe in having large families. Somebody has to keep the population stabilized and it looks like it is the Mormons and Catholics that are doing it for you since it wonï¿½t be accomplished by zero population advocates.

Re: Liberal Larry | 6:12 p.m. Sept. 23, 2008

"I feel sorry for the children born today, who will have to live on this over populated planet. "
You're kidding, right, L.L.? Time to get out of the city or take a cross-country flight. If you need more space, move thirty miles east or west or north or south and you'll have space in spades. My parents live in central Idaho, and there is 300 miles of NOTHING between Ogden and their home. Between Provo and St. George? NOTHING. Between West Valley and Reno? NOTHING. Between Draper and Denver? NOTHING. This valley is getting a bit cramped by some tastes, but the world is not this valley.

Anonymous | 6:18 p.m. Sept. 23, 2008

I am active LDS and I also think that you need to be able to cope emotionally and physically with the demands of a large family. It's not just about how much money is made or how many parents work. I've had several neighbors who had large families and mommy dearest was so overwhelmed she turned them loose in the neighborhood everyday for everyone else to deal with. They were out of control brats. I also had neighbors with large families who were a real asset to the neighborhood. Their kids were well supervised and well behaved kids. Sadly whenever I visit Utah, I see lots of very, very young kids wandering around outside with no adults in sight. Probably because mom can't cope.

Jenny | 6:33 p.m. Sept. 23, 2008

I have seen some very big families in Utah, who were completely dysfunctional. Some of these kids have real social issues as well. And some are told that they are better than smaller families. My neighbor is one of those people. Their kids go around telling other kids that their dad said they were chosen and better than little nonmember LDS families. These kids are very judgmental and don't get along with outsiders, and it's pretty sad too.

Um. | 6:42 p.m. Sept. 23, 2008

We needed a SURVEY to show this?

Another Thought | 6:47 p.m. Sept. 23, 2008

You "overpopulation" believers ever thought about the fact that it is the large families that pay the price in a hugely disproportionate way in the event of military conscription? A few tax credits here or there by no means add up to the possible cost incurred. It ain't gonna be your selfish butts on the line.

Also, Utah's poverty and bankruptcy rates would be much higher if it wasn't for Church welfare assistance. That said - it's a much more effective and efficient system than Uncle Sam's.

lowonoil | 7:14 p.m. Sept. 23, 2008

Not much of a thought. Maybe if we could curb our resource hunger by restraining our population growth we wouldn't have to conscript kids to go kill for your next tank of gas.

Research? | 7:21 p.m. Sept. 23, 2008

You want facts?
#1: According to numerous studies done by the FBI and too many Universities to list here, single mothers occupy the highest demographic poverty level group in America! So much for large families burdening the welfare system.
#2: According the the FBI, 70% of crimes committed in American cities over a population of 1 million are young men with no father in the home! So muc for the arguement about same sex parents.
#3: More LDS home school their children that any other demographic. So much for burdened schools systems. I took my kids out of public schools because of the cess pool that some public schools have become. Not safe in schools is a growing problem.
It seems a loving Heavenly Father has already given us the cure for poverty and crime...it's called the law of chastity! Imagine that! Want to solve crime and poverty? Live the law of chastity!

canuck | 7:39 p.m. Sept. 23, 2008

I don't want to be negative but is the divorce rate high or low?

RE: Another Thought | 6:47 | 8:10 p.m. Sept. 23, 2008

Per capitia Utah and the mormons have a very poor rate of miltiary service. So I guess your wrong on that point.

On your second point whether you go to the government or the church your still seeking welfare. It doesn't matter which source, someone else is still paying for it.

Lisa | 8:15 p.m. Sept. 23, 2008

LDS families will populate the corners of the earth. People should be so lucky to have these nieghbours. The "overpopulation" will teach rightiousness to the non-members who are struggling with values in present day society. We are fortunate that the LDS and Utah population are growing to bring relief to the rest of humanity.

Just a thought.. | 9:07 p.m. Sept. 23, 2008

Is this a mormon times article or a Deseret News article? If the Deseret News wishes to gain and keep credabilty I would suggest that they split the mo-times into its own entity. Its just good business sense and saves reporting integrity. These stories and those in the mormon times just, well.. I not even not going to go there. And this is from a well called on member.

Anonymous | 9:11 p.m. Sept. 23, 2008

Try to keep things in perspective, Lisa. I know when you live in Utah, it seems like everyone is Mormon. But in reality, if the world's population were a five dollar bill, the Mormons would be less than two cents.

From Lisa: RE Anon 9:11 | 9:21 p.m. Sept. 23, 2008

I have percepective.I have been to CA and know about prop. 8 and you are need our help. We may be less than 2 cents on a five dollar bill but we are the most important and the chosen two cents on the five dollar bill. This is why it is so important for us to populate the earth and bring rightiousness to those whom do not know. Good night and be blessed and I have it in percepective thank you very much.

Lisa

Dear Selfish | 9:51 p.m. Sept. 23, 2008

You show your colors. Your comments show us you are small minded and an antogonist to any LDS.

Re: Lisa | 9:56 p.m. Sept. 23, 2008

I don't expect you to understand or believe this, but the LDS Church doesn't have an exclusive hold on "righteousness" or "values." Most people lead moral lives and raise loving families without ever setting foot inside a chapel. Thanks for your offer to "bring relief", but we'll likely get just fine without you, thanks.

RE: RE: Another thought | 10:00 p.m. Sept. 23, 2008

Your correct that whether it is church or government assistance it is still welfare, but the someones paying for the assistance they recive most offten, are the ones who payed into the system for years and even decades before they ever fell back on it. Look at it this way. If you pay into your 401k for years and your employer matches your deposits and then you choose to use it to sustain your self in time of need before retirement or after, your still falling back on someone eles money. Do you call that welfare or did you earn it because you paid into "your" system for years or even decades. This is from someone that had that very issue. Worked foe decades and then got laid of due to some one who stole from the comany causing a down size. I had 5k in the bank and an equivelent in my 401k. After more thatn a year of trying to match my income to support my family with 2 jobs and a bussiness. I still lost my home and my life savings. You bet I earned the right to use other peoples money.

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Kay Lotulelei reads with her daughters Caroline, Meleanna and Levila at their home in Midvale. The Lotuleleis' nine children help keep Utah No. 1 for family size.