[miss marmelstein]

Because they only have one or maybe two? In the old days, they had 10-11! If one got killed, one got sick and died and one ran away, no big deal.

Everyone should read the beautiful book Look Homeward, Angel to find out what it was like for big families at the turn of the 20th century.

[9YearLurker]

Yes—exactly my thought! We’ve moved from having a few spares to jealously guarding the 1 or 2 we do have.

[Drew68]

Because they only have one or maybe two? In the old days, they had 10-11! If one got killed, one got sick and died and one ran away, no big deal.

It's true. I have two sons and two daughters and I always joke I have one of each and spares.

I'm a Gen-X'er and almost everyone I grew up with has only one child or no kids at all.