[Hermann the Cherusker]

12 children may be too many, but three or four are healthy. (2 seems the best for wealth.)

Catholic Moralists state that families should have at least four children. This isn't a matter of sexual morality but of justice towards society.

If no one has more than two or three kids, its unlikely we'll have priests and religious because of family pressures, and the population will not be able to make up for those who never marry or marry to late, and those who are sterile.

So four children is a matter of ones duties towards society. After that, it is up to your free choice.

Anyone can manage with four kids today if they really wanted to.

[Polycarp]

Well said, thank you.

Lo, Children are an Heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate. Psalm 127:3-5

To the Israelites, a full quiver contained 12 arrows ;-)

[dangus]

>> Catholic Moralists state that families should have at least four children. This isn't a matter of sexual morality but of justice towards society. >>

I'd bet that figure hadn't been revised since the death rates dropped radically. WHO (I know, a lousy source) uses 2.1% as a replacement rate. Even if "3 or 4" is translated as precisely 3.5, that allows for infertility, a large clerical class, and healthy growth. Then again, in Euraope, I'd recommend 10-12 to make up for all those non-breeding atheists. ;)