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Either HGTV is biased against children, or there really are 50% of the couples shown hunting for houses for themselves and their dogs.

Will their dogs be paying into Social Security for them, or taking care of them in their dotage? This generation has certainly changed the pattern of familial responsibility. Wonder how that will work out in 40 or 50 years.

Displays of selfishness, familiar and relational conflict -- these are much more entertaining in our 24-hour media culture. Somehow, a joyful mom, just thrilled with multiple children, doesn't make the cut in terms of our viewership, our popular culture, our literature, the Web. The Duggars are an exception to that.

For what it's worth, there ARE people who love their spouses, and are overjoyed with their multiple children. Folks who know that life is so short, so precious, and that the days of diapering and nose-wiping will pass all too quickly. Folks who will risk heartbreak, should a child encounter tragedy, but who also risk unparalleled joy and thrills when children reach milestones in life - walking, talking, driving, graduating, marrying, bearing children.

Pundits, bitter feminists, metro males, whoever, can go ahead and head into old age alone, skip the work, yes; but they also skip the depths of joy that children bring. But, a child doesn't bear the responsibility of bringing you anything - love and duty are the burdens of parenthood, not childhood. But, wow, I can think of no greater priviledge than to be a mom - of whether one or 10.

Displays of selfishness, familial and relational conflict -- these are much more entertaining in our 24-hour media culture. Somehow, a joyful mom, just thrilled with multiple children, doesn't make the cut in terms of our viewership, our popular culture, our literature, the Web. The Duggars are an exception to that.

For what it's worth, there ARE people who love their spouses, and are overjoyed with their multiple children. Folks who know that life is so short, so precious, and that the days of diapering and nose-wiping will pass all too quickly. Folks who will risk heartbreak, should a child encounter tragedy, but who also risk unparalleled joy and thrills when children reach milestones in life - walking, talking, driving, graduating, marrying, bearing children.

Pundits, bitter feminists, metro males, whoever, can go ahead and head into old age alone, skip the work, yes; but they also skip the depths of joy that children bring. But, a child doesn't bear the responsibility of bringing you anything - love and duty are the burdens of parenthood, not childhood. But, wow, I can think of no greater priviledge than to be a mom - of whether one or 10.