Let me start by saying that I liked this episode and i like most others. Good reporting in an unbiased way. It was very interesting and well-presented, nad the interviewer asked many questions that I myself would have asked.
I won't say that I 'disagree' with their lifestyle. It has it's good points. I appreciate people raising kids in a more moral way and I think that has been lost from our society to a degree. I'm no super-strict parent by any means, but parental respect, pride, and respect for others is very important to me as a parent as well.
They are practicing what is generally known as the 'Quiverfull Lifestyle'. A quiver is the sling in which arrows were kept, and is a term that basically means let the Lord control the number of children you have and use nothing artificial to conceive or prevent pregnancy. The father mention that years ago, families numbered 11 or 12 kids and had less in the ways of means as they do now. True, but there was a more practical reason for this. One, birth control wasn't available until rather recently. Two, children often died in infancy so women regularly gave birth to many, but some didn't survive. Three, people lived more rurally and children were made to work in the home, on the farm, etc and in cities before child labor laws they worked outside the home for a wage. Four, families wanted to produce sons and often kept having children until at least one son was produced.
Put this in a modern context and it makes slightly less sense. As a parent I do have my questions about the amount of individual attention the kids are getting. Also, despite the fact they aren't on gov't assistance they themselves acknowledge that they rely on their community and church for support and donations. 'Relying' on something means you are unable to provide it on your own. Plain and simple.
Lastly, I understand why she feel it is acceptable to take medications to prepare her uterus to sustain a pregnancy, and then to choose not to practice/use birth control methods. BUT...if they are truly 'leaving it all up to the Lord' why then wouldn't they accept the fact that age will eventually stop women from having children and not try to 'prime' the body to do something it's trying (biologically) to stop?

The children all seem happy, intelligent, well fed, educated and graceful. They are growing up with a strong family value and that is amazing in this day and age. I hope my future children will be as happy as these children seem to be.Granted I am a bit more liberal in my thinking then these parents are, but that isn't a bad thing. They still seem like nice, wholesome people.

After watching this video, I find it disturbing like the Duggars. It looks like a cult. 1) The best way to save money is not to have too many kids.2) Having too many kids is stressful; physically, emotionally and financially.3) They hold belief "that god is taking care of me" is nonsense. 4) It's nice that the childern are taking responibles at an early age, but as they get older they seem not to explore the world enough. Some of the older daughters of the Duggars are voluteer firefighters which is very noble, but will they actully become full active duty firefighters? Same goes with the oldest daughter in the Bates family. She volueeter as a paramedic, but will she become full active duty in the near future? 5) This news video, reality shows of mega families only shows their "happiness" and "positive lifestyle", but no fights, arguments, or anything else. It's true it's impossible to film them 24/7, but I believe in the near future something big is going to happen that it'll be on all the tabloid magazines.

If you can afford this many kids- adopt!! These people aren't even taking care of the kids, they have the older ones do it. Two parents cannot spend quality time with 18 kids individually, very selfish.