The Bulletin Sunday Afternoon Reads: The Case for Kids
Dec 21, 2025
Leslie Leyland Fields, a writer and mother of six, dives deep into the cultural stigma surrounding large families and the label 'breeder.' She critiques the child-free movement, discussing how it has reshaped societal views on family. Leslie emphasizes the value of children in nurturing qualities like tolerance and service while warning about the demographic and economic implications of declining birth rates. Through personal anecdotes and research, she makes a compelling case for embracing parenthood as part of a balanced life.
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Called A 'Breeder' In Class
- Leslie Leyland Fields recounts first hearing the slur "breeder" in a college classroom and the stunned reaction it provoked.
- She describes repeated public accostings about her large family that framed her as out of step with social norms.
Child-Free Movement's Cultural Claim
- The child-free movement links women's self-realization to career and time for spiritual growth.
- Popular culture and online lists amplify a stereotype that parents, especially large families, are regressive.
Hold A Balanced View Of Children
- Leslie cites theologians urging balance: respect life without deifying children or reducing them to consumer choices.
- She points Christians back to Jesus' example of children as models of trust and kingdom values.