Passing a house between generations could account for the future living accomodations for one child, not a dozen. The fact is, the Amish tend to dedicate their lives to their families, and are by and large happy. We English tend to dedicate our lives to mammon and would appear to be decidedly less happy.
It is kinda hard to be a slave to Mammon when you pay over half of your income in taxes (as Jesus reminds us that we are obligated to pay all the taxes we are legally obligated to pay) and then attempt to support a family on the rest. As for the Amish, I believe they get a break from having to pay Social Security taxes at least. Why can't us gentiles get such a break?