Quiverfull - the English Version

Until now, I have only ever written my stories in German. I am now attempting to publish this story in English as well, in parallel.

Many years ago, my parents emigrated to the southern United States because they could live out their religious and sexual fantasies there. They live as Evangelicals and have joined the Quiverfull movement.

Quiverfull? The movement is based on Psalm 127:

3 Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.

4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth.

5 Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents in court.

Followers reject contraceptives, sterilization, and often even natural family planning, as they wish to leave procreation entirely to God. The goal is to have as many children as God gives, in order to shape the world through their faith.

Strict patriarchal structures are advocated, in which the woman primarily takes on the role of housewife and mother. Thus, my father truly is the master of the house. I was their first child, which is why my name starts with A: Amalia. Now I am nearly an adult, and it is intended that I be married off on my 18th birthday to begin fulfilling my role.

My mother is currently pregnant for the 16th time. The name will therefore start with P… She is particularly fertile; in other households of her age, there are sometimes only six or seven children. Should it turn out after marriage that the woman is not pregnant within two years, the husband is permitted to seek a second wife.