The frowns, and negative or derogatory comments emerge as they try to picture themselves with my brood. I certainly have not asked them to consider a family my size and am disappointed that people feel a need to compare and compete with others. I assume that what is running through their minds is that children are inconvenient - not necessarily expensive, but inconvenient. Children are a disruption to a quiet, clean household and to a social schedule of adult activities. Many couples who finally make room for children in their busy lives shower the best care upon them that they know - nannies, trendy preschool programs, private school or whatever clothes and gifts their child wants.
Children are often another possession.
Science and technology can be dangerous when we use it to our advantage to choose exactly when and how many children we want, rather than viewing children as special blessings or gifts. These attitudes lay the foundation of how we Americans are raising our children.