My maternal grandparents had 16, 13 who lived to adulthood. I asked my grandmother why she had so many children and her reply was that they lived on a farm, and they needed the help. LOL I think the most born to their children was one family of 5 that I can think of. We were 4.

I think, now-a-days, parents are shellfish to have a large family. The older ones end up raising the younger ones. My mother said her older siblings were more like aunts and uncles. Her "family" consisted of the last 5 she grew up with.

For those who elect not to have children, like Andrea and Amy, have their own reasons and I figure it's none of my business.