19 Kids and Counting

[kmkarbo]

Perhaps you have not viewed the show enough to understand the dynamics. Responsible fathers are concerned with whom their daughters (and sons) are in relationship with. It was always the choice of the two daughters that married to continue in their relationships with Derrick and Ben.
Jana, the oldest daughter, is still single and does not appear to be infantized.
The family is Baptist. I cannot call to mind any other TV show that comes close to presenting healthy families in the Catholic tradition.

 

[AnnArbor]

Perhaps you have not viewed the show enough to understand the dynamics. Responsible fathers are concerned with whom their daughters (and sons) are in relationship with. It was always the choice of the two daughters that married to continue in their relationships with Derrick and Ben.
Jana, the oldest daughter, is still single and does not appear to be infantized.
The family is Baptist. I cannot call to mind any other TV show that comes close to presenting healthy families in the Catholic tradition.

However, if the father has the authority to veto the adult daughter’s choice of husband, that exceeds his authority under Catholic understanding. And it does appear that the wedding involved a handing over of “authority” from father to husband. That is not a Catholic understanding of marriage.

If the oldest daughter is not under her father’s authority and is free to move out of the house, live on her own, etc., then I am sorry for the error. So, the daughter is not under her father’s authority, correct?

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

No, we would not need a bigger planet. Most families aren’t this large, but even if families began expanding, God has a perfect design. There is plenty of room on our beautiful planet.

From my experience, having faith in God doesn’t necessarily excuse reckless procreation. I’d sooner father bastard children than exhaust a single woman with an entire brood. Heck, I’d wager even the Biblical Jacob had that much sense compared to Jim Bob.

Currently, the entire population of this world can fit comfortably into the teeny tiny state of Rhode Island.

Sorry, not buying that. I used to but I second guessed that ‘room’ has more to do than just space and even base necessities. I’m only one of four kids but my experience growing up with my siblings has led me to believe our numbers are relative to how much personality we each possess.

Whereas when I hear stories of my mother’s much larger family or look at the Duggars, it’s like any sense of self is diminished. Everyone’s just focused on struggling to scrape by. No thanks. I’d rather stick to my sense of identity and ownership and even enjoy the personality politics with my brothers and sister.

 

[kmkarbo]

Lost, it does not appear that you have watched the show. Michelle is not single and is not exhausted. I am thankful that these outstanding parents have so many children.
The older children consist of a pilot, photographer, midwives, EMT, used car salesman - hardly looks like they’re struggling. Sorry for your upbringing experience, that is only one of the reasons that the Duggars are a good example for all families.
You may benefit as well if you gave the show a chance!

 

[robwar]

Lost, it does not appear that you have watched the show. Michelle is not single and is not exhausted. I am thankful that these outstanding parents have so many children.
The older children consist of a pilot, photographer, midwives, EMT, used car salesman - hardly looks like they’re struggling. Sorry for your upbringing experience, that is only one of the reasons that the Duggars are a good example for all families.
You may benefit as well if you gave the show a chance!

the problem with reality TV is that it isn’t reality and these people use their kids as stage props to promote themselves. They have enough clips on the web site and blog and they greatly concern me. It’s not about the number of children but it is how they follow Bill Gothard and maybe you have a warm fuzzy view but his teaching is dangerous and cultist.

 

[Robyn_p]

No, we would not need a bigger planet. Most families aren’t this large, but even if families began expanding, God has a perfect design. There is plenty of room on our beautiful planet. Currently, the entire population of this world can fit comfortably into the teeny tiny state of Rhode Island.

I don’t think this is correct. Do you have any sources for this? I’ve seen some researchers say the entire population of the world could fit in Texas comfortably. But that’s a huge difference from Rhode Island. There’s no way seven billion people can fit there.

 

[Robyn_p]

Lost, it does not appear that you have watched the show. Michelle is not single and is not exhausted.

I’m pretty sure he meant single as in individual, not unmarried.

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

I’m pretty sure he meant single as in individual, not unmarried.

Exactly. And really, I’d shudder to imagine in a world where all women are like Michelle. Part of the beauty of meeting so many different girls is the fact that they’re, well, different!

 

[gracepoole]

the problem with reality TV is that it isn’t reality and these people use their kids as stage props to promote themselves. They have enough clips on the web site and blog and they greatly concern me. It’s not about the number of children but it is how they follow Bill Gothard and maybe you have a warm fuzzy view but his teaching is dangerous and cultist.

Amen.

 

[gracepoole]

Has everyone seen this?

change.org/p/the-learning-channel-end-lgbtq-fear-mongering-by-the-duggars

 

[kmkarbo]

However, if the father has the authority to veto the adult daughter’s choice of husband, that exceeds his authority under Catholic understanding. And it does appear that the wedding involved a handing over of “authority” from father to husband. That is not a Catholic understanding of marriage.

If the oldest daughter is not under her father’s authority and is free to move out of the house, live on her own, etc., then I am sorry for the error. So, the daughter is not under her father’s authority, correct?

Jim Bob is successful in his career, church, and family. If he didn’t agree with a life choice of one of his inexperienced children, I would respect his veto, although I doubt he would actually forbid his children of their choices. I don’t understand how his opinion of a choice made by his children would violate Catholic teaching.
I don’t know if Jana, the oldest and single daughter, still lives at home. If my children live in my house at any age I would expect them to be under my authority.

 

[Robyn_p]

Exactly. And really, I’d shudder to imagine in a world where all women are like Michelle. Part of the beauty of meeting so many different girls is the fact that they’re, well, different!

Yup. Differences are good and healthy. We’re not meant to be all exactly the same.

 

[robwar]

Has everyone seen this?

change.org/p/the-learning-channel-end-lgbtq-fear-mongering-by-the-duggars

Yes. The ATI program that they used is a failure. The program did not end with a high school diploma at all. It ended with the students going to work for the IBLP ministry in the name of internships which is really bogus. Remember according to Bill Gothard, college is evil and parents should not be sending their children to college even if it is Christian based. He taught that “God’s way” is having young people do internships. That is how Bill was able to surround himself with 14 year olds. they were sent there under this ATI program which didn’t really have any standard program. This is why the older Duggar children are floundering. They are stuck at home and the choices are either marry or dabble in on line college courses to be midwives. People who have been educated in this flop, have had to scrabble to get GED to even go on to community college.

 

[robwar]

Jim Bob is successful in his career, church, and family. If he didn’t agree with a life choice of one of his inexperienced children, I would respect his veto, although I doubt he would actually forbid his children of their choices. I don’t understand how his opinion of a choice made by his children would violate Catholic teaching.
I don’t know if Jana, the oldest and single daughter, still lives at home. If my children live in my house at any age I would expect them to be under my authority.

The Duggars are doing this show for the money and notice that it brings. I never believed for one minute that Jim Bob is that all together to support all these people. The show paid for that big home they have. They could not afford it otherwise as well as the travel they do and all the rest.

 

[robwar]

Lost, it does not appear that you have watched the show. Michelle is not single and is not exhausted. I am thankful that these outstanding parents have so many children.
The older children consist of a pilot, photographer, midwives, EMT, used car salesman - hardly looks like they’re struggling. Sorry for your upbringing experience, that is only one of the reasons that the Duggars are a good example for all families.
You may benefit as well if you gave the show a chance!

The older children are not the successes you are making them out to be at all. The girls have dabbled in midwifery. The oldest son has a politcal job based on his dad and the family name. Jinger just dabbles in photography. Jana and Jinger are stuck at home to help co-parent the others. THEY ARE NOT A GOOD EXAMPLE for anyone. The two married girls married in arranged marriages in 4 months and have had their relationships micromanaged to the nth degree as well as never even allowed to talk alone. And you think this is a good example? They follow a pervert named Bill Gothard. The kids do not have any choices. Stop believing this baloney on TV. It is sick and unhealthy and I pray the kids will one day be free.

 

[Walking_Home]

the problem with reality TV is that it isn’t reality and these people use their kids as stage props to promote themselves. They have enough clips on the web site and blog and they greatly concern me. It’s not about the number of children but it is how they follow Bill Gothard and maybe you have a warm fuzzy view but his teaching is dangerous and cultist.

---

Ditto.

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

The older children are not the successes you are making them out to be at all. The girls have dabbled in midwifery. The oldest son has a politcal job based on his dad and the family name. Jinger just dabbles in photography. Jana and Jinger are stuck at home to help co-parent the others. THEY ARE NOT A GOOD EXAMPLE for anyone.

I’d probably just watch a few eps just to see it with my own eyes. But for all it’s worth, my gut tells me you could be right. kmkarbo, I may sound biased but at least I’m biased based on my own experience.

Sorry for your upbringing experience, that is only one of the reasons that the Duggars are a good example for all families.
You may benefit as well if you gave the show a chance!

Why would you feel sorry about my upbringing? I love my brothers and sister but part of that comes with the fact that I wouldn’t trade them for having many more. I am grateful to God and my parents that we were all given a lot more instead of seeing everything given to us spread thinly like in a lot of larger families. And yes, I even love negotiating with them over who has to do what or who gets what instead of us all blindly accepting whatever is handed over without question.

Yup. Differences are good and healthy. We’re not meant to be all exactly the same.

When I see myself and my siblings, it feels like this:

http://cache.desktopnexus.com/thumbnails/522159-bigthumbnail.jpg

Or even this:

http://img4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20080904171813/harrypotter/images/8/8e/WeasleysDA.jpg

But when I look at the Duggar kids, I can’t help but just think this:

(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)

 

[recklev]

I still love the show and find it very uplifting to me.

It seems to me that at least 85% of the respondents to this thread have never watched the show at all. The remarks that are coming forth are head-scratchingly amazing.

I would rather live next-door to the Dugger family than next-door to 95% of the respondents here.

God bless you Dugger family. I’m so happy to see you prospering.

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

I still love the show and find it very uplifting to me.

It seems to me that at least 85% of the respondents to this thread have never watched the show at all. The remarks that are coming forth are head-scratchingly amazing.

I would rather live next-door to the Dugger family than next-door to 95% of the respondents here.

God bless you Dugger family. I’m so happy to see you prospering.

Care to address this then please?

change.org/p/the-learning-channel-end-lgbtq-fear-mongering-by-the-duggars

Because if my family wound up as neighbors, we’d be lucky to even stay long in that neighborhood! (And no, you don’t have to be a transgendered person to raise a brow at the kind of attitude being alleged here.)

 

[masondoggy]

I still love the show and find it very uplifting to me.

It seems to me that at least 85% of the respondents to this thread have never watched the show at all. The remarks that are coming forth are head-scratchingly amazing.

I would rather live next-door to the Dugger family than next-door to 95% of the respondents here.

God bless you Dugger family. I’m so happy to see you prospering.

Well fwiw, I’ve watched the show all along. My kids love the show and have it on all the time. I would have no problem living next door to the Duggars. I’d gladly share neighborhood barbecues with them but I would still strongly disagree with the methods they use to control their adult children. See you can be friendly with people, or have a relationship with people and still disagree with things that they do. And disagreeing with someone does not equal disliking them or hating them.