The critics have been intrigued by this documentary about three couples who have 36 children between them. Don't expect too many answers as to why the couples have such large broods as the "astonishing" programme unfolds. Instead just savour the extraordinary stories and a glimpse into a strange world...
The following preview is courtesy of Channel 4:
An absorbing and revealing insight into the chaotic world of the large family. This observational documentary follows three extensive families - who currently have 36 children between them - to explore the emotional, religious and psychological reasons why they each have a need to keep on having more. The everyday lives of these participating families are followed to understand what drives them to spend their days in a constant cycle of pregnancy, breast-feeding and nappy changing - while dealing along the way with the demands of older children who need help with homework, relationships and some peace from annoying younger siblings.
In Lancashire, the Johnstone clan (pictured) are sixth months into their 12th pregnancy and mum, Karan, is as focused as ever on making everything perfect for the new arrival. She is baby-mad. The stresses and strains of life as a parent to so many children is nothing to Karan. She has never felt she could not cope with having another and another. As she says, "They are all really good, so I must be doing something right." And having lost her own dad when she was just 12 years old, Karan harbours a deeper need to make sure her own family do not miss out on the childhood she felt she did after her dad passed away.
The Salim family from Rochdale are weeks away from having their 11th child. For dad, Mohammed, this is another gift from God and he is not in a hurry to give up having more. As a practicing Muslim, he strongly believes that God's command to "Go Forth and Mulitply" must be obeyed. "I don't think I should stop having children", he explains. "It's God's gift. I want many more."
However, his wife Noreen fails to share the same need to procreate further. Fifteen years his junior, and aged just 35, Noreen is exhausted. This current pregnancy is really taking its toll on her health and body. If it was up to her, she would stop at number 11. Even the health visitor is keen for them to make this pregnancy their last as she can see the strain it is putting on Noreen. But Mohammed - who clearly loves his wife and family - has a different point of view. Through the process of giving birth, their story encapsulates a modern British dichotomy, where culture, tradition and gender issues clash.
Deborah and Derek Simpson live just outside Glasgow. They have been married for 23 years and are still very much on a quest to conceive their next child. They are, in fact, trying the hardest they have ever tried to get pregnant, and as Deborah is now 43, it is not proving such an easy task. Having already had 13 children relatively easily - now aged between 21 years and 20 months - the Simpsons are leading as holistic a life as possible to give themselves the best chance to procreate. Deborah's routine, beyond everyday childcare duties, now involves taking a mixture of herbal medicine and pursuing other alternative practices - such as reflexology when time allows - all against a ticking body clock which for Deborah is getting louder day by day. "I just want in nine months' time to be holding a little baby," explains Deborah.
I'm a producer for Channel 4's Cutting Edge strand who is looking for moving stories from families who have a large family of the same sex children and are eager for more children.
I'm hoping to lift the lid on life inside a large family of mainly one sex.
Please contact rita.daniels@loveproductions.co.uk
With thanks
June 16th - 4:52pmKay said...
The reason he doesn't have a job because he got sacked from teaching at my college because of his attitude towards his students and the fact that he couldn't do his job to even a basic standard let alone a high standard.
May 23rd - 10:20amPaul Eyres said...
Well what a programme.Firstly, extremely hard for someone like my daughter to watch as conceiving a first child is not the easiest thing for her.Secondly the tax payer - who foots the bill in all 3 cases. The family that works ( and this will only have to be 16 hours per week) will have endless top ups of child benefit,child tax credits and working tax credits. The family on welfare benefits well that is a total disgrace that we have a system that allows this to happen and the taxpayer has a bottomless pit of money. As for the family they should be totally ashamed of themselves, they are a disgrace and should not be surprised when they receive abuse and hatred in the streets of their home town. No other society on this planet would finance such a thoughtless selfish family & I hope that future governments will get their act together and when reviewing the welfare state will actually do something positive for the electorate for once and stops these endless payments.
May 22nd - 10:23pmamanda morris said...
i am shocked at the differences in these families.. prehaps if mohamed spent more time cleaning his family home he would be too tired to procreate....
have these couples considered the strain they are putting on the countries economy??? even whilst working, they are probably collecting in the region of £16,000 in tax credits..... amazing.
May 22nd - 9:33pmcharlie young said...
I am just watching this programme and i just cannot believe what i am hearing.How dare that man blame the fact he is a bone idol,lazy scrounger on racism.The reason he doesnt have a job is nothing to do with the fact he is a muslim.He just keeps having children and expecting everyone else to pay for them
May 19th - 4:02pmJehanzeb said...
I belive in big families and want my family to be big too. I want 15 kids, that is when i get married.:-D
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