The Duggars: How Many is Too Many? : Dani Hasley
These days there are so many family reality shows out there with TLC being the prime host. Their family shows include Little People, Big World; Jon & Kate Plus Eight; Table for 12; The Little Couple; and 18 and Counting. The Duggar family contains 18 children, all given birth to Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar. All 18 children have names that start with J. They are Joshua, Jana, John David, Jill, Jessa, Jinger, Joseph, Josiah, Joy-Anna, Jedidiah, Jeremiah, Jason, James, Justin, Jackson, Johannah, Jennifer and Jordyn. Each child was born within two years of the previous and there are two sets of twins.
The TCL show, originally titled “17 Kids and Counting” is currently in its third season and will once again be facing a name change. Jim Bob and Michelle have just announced that their 19th child is due in March 2010. The oldest child, Josh, is expecting his first child with his wife Anna five months before his mother will give birth to another sibling.
Now, one would think that having 18 children is a bit much, but Jim Bob and Michelle state that each of their children is “a blessing from God” (the Duggars are a conservative Baptist family). The Duggars use no form of birth control after Michelle became pregnant while on the pill and experienced a miscarriage. With the way the economy is these days, one would think that having this many children would put a family into some serious debt. Not the Duggars. They claim to be debt free and recommend a Financial Free Seminar.
While the Duggars are a charming family and are entertaining to watch on TV, I feel that having a family that large is really unnecessary. That’s a lot of mouths to feed, cloth and take care of. Kate Gosslin, mother of eight, has described in episodes of her show how she enjoys having those few moments alone with one of her children. How can Michelle and Jim Bob possibly make connections with each of their children when there are so many?
What are your thoughts?
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We’ll, if you know, our studio works on the show and i guess I get paid so the more the merrier.
These people have no idea what kind of burden that they put on their society and the environment; these types of people fall into two categories, the selfish who have no jobs or prospects and expect to abuse the welfare system at the expense of people who actually need and deserve government support (eg the octo mom), and the second category are those who expect to make all of their money through reality shows which provides no benefit to society (most people’s jobs benefit society and make it a better place in addition to simply providing a paycheck)
I don’t think it’s anyone else’s business one way or another, honestly. If they can provide for their family then fine. The reality tv show is whole other aspect.
I wouldn’t use the word “charming” to describe them, I would use “disturbing”. I have seen parts of two episodes. One the oldest son held hands with his fiancée for what seemed like days. The other the parents took the kids to a creationist museum. It seems that they can support the children and were able to do so before the show. I don’t see how they ae a financial burden on society even if they are an intillectual one.
As the phrase goes, “It’s a V….. not a clown car.”
If you watch the show, you’ll see that they are debt free and built a beautiful huge home and give all of their children a comfortable life. They aren’t taxing the system in the slightest.
While I don’t share their beliefs this is America where you are free to believe what you want to. They genuinely love and care for their kids. I don’t see what the issue is.
No this family is part of the second category that whores out their children for profit unless the parents have jobs and the reality show is a second source of income their is no benefit to society. That is what my problem is, exploiting children for money
I understand the concern for the children but you could argue that every tv show, movie, etc… that involves children, is exploiting them for profit. Did Lost exploit Malcom David Kelley when he was a large part of the show? He certainly wasn’t old enough to make hid own career decisions. Just because it’s a reality show doesn’t mean it’s anymore exploitative than regular tv.
Honestly, if they can pay for all their kids then I don’t have a problem with them so much as I think that they’re insane for having so many kids in the first place. They seriously can’t have a close relationship with each one; there’s always a new baby wanting attention. That’s the reason I feel sorry for those kids. Personally, I’d think it was time to retire her poor vag after the oldest son’s wife became pregnant.
Oh I forgot to mention that I was talking to one of Clif’s co-workers one night and he had all sorts of interesting things to say about the footage he sees when they edit the Duggars lol
Dani,
Maybe you feel that having that many children is unnecessary for YOU but for them they feel it is a blessing. Is it so wrong that they feel that way?
Also, who the hell are we to judge a family of 18 and say “You have to many kids”! They as a family work perfect. Coming from the perspective of someone who has read their book and my wife has too they are a family we should all admire a bit. Why? Cause they have 18 kids and don’t ask for a single handout! They have their investments they made when they were a young couple and those were investments they made so they could afford a family of this size.
We are so quick to say that a family like this is excessive, but then where is all the outrage of families who have two kids and are on welfare, food stamps and live in government housing? We just turn a blind eye at them and say “Well, they need help.” I have some help or advice for them who can’t afford even two kids: DONT HAVE ANYMORE KIDS!!!
We give this family a hard time cause they have too many kids. Why? Who cares? It’s not your family don’t worry about it. We as Americans worry about getting new cars, big televisions, XBOX 360’s and going on exotic trips. They don’t need that stuff, they have each other. I think a bit is we use all this excess crap to make our lives meaningful and then scoff when others don’t have it. Wait, does that mean we are jealous that they have each other? Just my perspective.
They are a family that works. No matter how big they get, they will make it work and they will do it themselves. I say we stop complaining about how many kids they have and take a look at some of the things they are doing right in this world to make their family work.
I just want to know when they have the time and energy to have sex with all these kids around???
If they wish to have 18,19 or 300 kids that is their perogative, however, taking care of their children is not some admirable action it is what they are supposed to do. Good for them if they made smart investments but does that make them any better than a poor family that may need some assistance? Also I’m not sure how not wanting an xbox or not going on an “exotic” trip makes them better than people who want those things. For me I’d prefer my child experience an exotic vacation than an anti-knowledge museum. Also just reading a book or seeing a show does not mean you truly know anything about the family. Media facades are put up all the time and it’s easy to assume people are what they say they are but that does not make it true.
@Julie LOL that made me chuckle out loud at work
Julie you might want to put a comma between the words sex and kids, oh now I see Colleen beat me to it lol
Yes Michael I agree with you it seems society has become so warped that when people don’t suck we consider them great and admirable
the whole xbox and vacations stems from ALL of us Americans trying to keep up with the “Jones’”. We spend money on stuff we don’t NEED. They are wants and that is where if you read their book you will understand that they are a family that is so well knit together it’s pathetic.
And the whole “whore” your family out on TV to make money…..BS. Read about where they donate their money too and where most of the money they make on the show goes to. They are no Jon and Kate. This family is not a money hungry family. If they were they wouldn’t have a Tour bus that breaks down sometimes on tv. They are real of all the reality tv families.
They are attacked and discussed cause we don’t understand them. I think people need to read a bit more about them before they start tearing them apart.
Also, coming from the point that I have met Michelle Duggar she is the sweetest, kindest person that I have ever met. Personally I don’t think she and Jim Bob are doing the show to make tons of money and to exploit their children.
Do you have any idea how John and Kate spend their money? Also I am sure the Duggars in no way support organizations that demonize homosexuality. Right? They are such sweet people they would never look at others as less than equal. Look, they can have as manny kids as they want and be as sweet on the surface as they want but that does not change how dangerous and discriminatory their religous beliefs are.
I know how she feels cause i would like to have more kids but after over lost too that we are planing. i will no longer having kids but i think every body should live the daggars alown and let them rase there family and everything but i like to watch them on the show cause i like to think i have a big family like hers cause to tell you the truth i would like to have a big family like hers . when i have my last two kids i will no longer have anymore kids cause the father dose not what anymore and i do but i will obay his wishs cause i love him and i will not do anything that will hurt us or the family and i have a lot of trush for him and he has a lot of trush for me i hope. i hope i get to see the daggers over in muncie indiana i would like to meat them someday and there grandkids to cause like have and big family around.
and i think what she is doing is good cause you know what she letting the older kid take care of the younger kid and that will teach them how to take care of kids when they are older and to take care of the there family and everything
I don’t understand, as conservatives why do they give birth to their kids on tv? TLC is going to show Anna’s birth. That seems a little hippy-ish.
I agree that 18 children is a bit much. As a social worker, I have a hard time comprehending how any one of their children ever get that important 1:1 time with their parents to form that special bond crucial to a childs upbringing. I also cannot understand this obssession with home schooling. This is wrong! How is a child suppose to learn the appropriate social skills needed in normal development not to mention the fact that they will never see any proms, homecoming dances, class outtings, graduations etc…..This country wonders why our schools are so dysfunctional and people are so dumb. In most states a certified teacher requires some form of college education, some even a masters degree. What I want to know is how does jim Bob and his wife feel they are qualified to school their children?
To everyone that is talking down to the Duggars:
I think that having 18 kids and expecting another is alittle much, but God gave those kids to them for a reason. I think that if the kids didnt like the attention that they are getting from the show there parents would probably stop making them. But, that doesnt go for the John and Kate plus 8, she has 8 kids and in the middle of divorce and is still making those kids go threw shows and stuff. I know this isnt about them but if you want to talk about bad parenting then there you go. I dont know any of them but Michelle and Jim Bob Dugger are great together and are doing well with those kids. I havent seen any bad behavior from the kids, All though they do have a life outside of tv, you dont see any fighting between jim bob or michelle or the kids fighting with each other and you do with John and Kate. Those kids are lucky to have parents like Jim Bob and Michelle Dugger. You can tell that the kids are having a blast without TV, Internet and they all get to spend time with there parents and each other.
The problem is not the number of children. yes it;s been too many for a long time. the problem is not better credit, or home schooling.
The problem is. drumroll. . .
There is an obvious lack of self control and where are the BOUNDARIES in thes home? Are there any?
I find this exploitation of children to be disgusting! Why are these innocent children not allowed a normal childhood?? It is even worse than celebrity children because normally actors children are only photographed or video taped outside their home, but these children have their personal space invaded. I also find it shameful how the parents are allowed to profit from this exploitation. All for money and it I think they hide behind their faith as a reason they are having all these children and want to be a witness to others on TV. I am a Christian too, and I find this repulsive!!!
Also, it may look like the children are enjoying being filmed..but who knows what they are feeling inside and how this will affect them into adulthood. These kind of reality shows should be stopped!!
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