CHIHUAHUA, NO NEWS OF HIS WHEREABOUTS SO FAR. HELP US DUPLICATE THIS INFORMATION TO FIND HIS WHEREABOUTS .
Martha has 20 children from 20 different fathers and is expecting her 21st, according to her… See more
Martha has 20 children from 20 different fathers and is expecting her 21st, according to her… See more
Martha has 20 children and is planning for more; social media users call her unconscious.
Mexico City – In an era where many couples are choosing not to have children or limiting themselves to one or two for economic, health, or environmental reasons, the story of Martha, a 39-year-old Mexican woman with 20 children and counting, has generated a wave of commentary on social media.
With a serene and determined attitude, Martha recently appeared in a viral video where she spoke proudly of her large family. “Children are a blessing from God. I don’t close the door to life,” she told the cameras, surrounded by several of her little ones, amid laughter, cries, and toys everywhere.
As she explained, she started having children at 17 and hasn’t stopped growing her family since. Her current partner, with whom she has had the last eight children, fully supports her decision. “We know it’s not easy, but love conquers all. We don’t have too many children.”
Criticism on social networks
However, the reaction on social media wasn’t entirely positive. Many users called her “irresponsible,” “thoughtless,” or even “selfish.” Comments poured in on TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram, where the video reached more than 2 million views in just two days.
“And how do you support them?” asked one internet user. “Having children isn’t just about bringing them into the world; it’s about raising them with quality, with education, with attention,” wrote another user.
Some even questioned whether the family relied on state aid to survive. Others criticized the environmental and social impact of having such a large family in a world facing climate crises and overpopulation.
Others defend it
Not all of them were attacks. A segment of users praised Martha for her courage and strength. “Who are we to judge her? If she loves and cares for them, that’s her right,” one mother defended on social media. “Nowadays, when many abandon or abuse their children, she has them and raises them with love. That’s also important.”
Martha, for her part, isn’t affected by criticism. “I don’t live to please people. My children need me, and as long as God gives me the strength, I will continue to welcome them with love.”
What does the law and science say?
From a legal perspective, there are no established limits on how many children a person can have, as long as there is no negligence or violations of the child’s rights. However, child health and development specialists warn that raising so many children requires not only financial resources, but also time, emotional presence, and individualized attention , which can be difficult to achieve in extremely large families.
“Every child needs to feel heard and seen. It’s not just about food and clothing. It’s about play, support, boundaries, affection. That all gets lost when there are 20 mouths to feed and comfort,” said child psychologist Clara Requena.
An endless debate
Martha’s case reopens an old discussion: To what extent is motherhood an individual right, and when does it become a social issue? Is it fair to judge personal decisions from the comfort of a screen? Or is it necessary to speak more responsibly about parenting in modern times?
Meanwhile, Martha goes on with her life, preparing breakfast for her army of children and waiting, perhaps, for the arrival of number 21.