They were not weighed against parental leisure time or disposable income. Much of the animus towards large families derives from residual guilt of those who sense that they live far more selfish lives than their own parents, and that the interests of their children are not necessarily paramount. A considerable body of social science literature in recent years documents the devastating effects that divorce has on children, yet the divorce rates keep climbing, as parents place the need to follow their individual sprites over the good of their children. Not inherent incompatibility but the urge for mid-life flings explain many of those divorces. Among the religious, however, the old ethic of sacrificing for one's children still holds sway.
Haredi parents spend both more quality and quantity time with their children.
Families are together on Shabbes and holidays. A myriad of common activities bind the family together, and the generations one to another. Anyone who thinks haredi children lead miserable, unhappy lives should take a walk through a haredi neighborhood any day of the week with open, unjaundiced eyes. My wife and I did 20 years ago, and the shining faces we saw had much to do with the large family we are blessed with today. JWR contributor Jonathan Rosenblum is a columnist for the Jerusalem Post.