The Duggar Family is pregnant AGAIN!

[golfgal]

But isn't part of a "Godly" lifestyle to promote your beliefs to others in order to create new believers? The Duggars have chosen TV to do this -- which is actually pretty brilliant. They can write books, have a website, preach ... but if you want to reach the masses with your message, you use television. I'd be interested to see how many hits they had on their website before the TV specials vs. after. Even the people who go there to mock still come away with the information -- whether they choose to use it or not is up to them.

The Duggars are not forcing anyone to watch; they're not telling people they must convert or start home-schooling their kids or to do any of the things they do themselves. They're not preaching on TV and telling people to send them money in order to get blessings. They're simply saying, "Here's how we live. If you're interested in knowing more, there are ways to find out. If not ... thanks for watching."

Are you related to the Duggars in some way.

Like I said in an earlier post, why would anyone want to raise their children in an atmosphere that EXPECTS them to do something 'bad' vs looking for the good in people? Isn't THAT the Christian way instead of worrying about what they are doing in the bathroom how about praising them for the good they could or are doing? Are these kids abused, no but eventually they WILL have to live in the real world and their background is not preparing them for that.

I know PLENTY of teens that are able to go out with friends and not get into trouble and we have raised our kids to expect them to behave properly and so far they have not disappointed us at all.

 

[WDSearcher]

Yes he is. I don't know how he's going to make it.

That's pretty condescending, isn't it? To assume that just because he's been raised a certain way, he won't be able to "make it."

From the show, we know that these kids interact with other people on vacations and at conventions and church functions. They speak well, ask intelligent questions, enjoy learning, and are kind, happy, smart kids. It's not like these kids have never interacted with anyone outside their own families. There's no reason to think that 20-year-old Josh is somehow socially stunted because of his upbringing. I grew up in the rural Midwest. I went to college in NYC. I was no more prepared for that culture shock than the Duggar kids might be for life outside the family. And yet, I managed to figure it all out. (And yeah ... I DID walk around those first few weeks making no eye contact and spending very little time outside of school and my dorm room. Because I was scared to death!)

My point is that college and the "real world" were hard for me. It wasn't any easier for me simply because I got to watch TV growing up and didn't have 17 brothers and sisters.

 

[lilyv]

Where did I say that? Last time I looked, the Duggar kids have done an awful lot. They've driven cross-country, seen the Grand Canyon, spent time on a dude ranch, seen more of the country than most kids get to. Heck, they've even been to Disneyland! Not exactly a plastic bubble. And really ... do you allow your kids to see/hear/smell/taste/feel things that you don't approve of?

Nice vacations, but I think the Dugger priorities are a little skewed. They currently have three young adults, 18, 18, and 20. It's sad they aren't given the opportunity to experience college, live on their own, and get a good education. They really do need to have a chance to do something else besides be buddies.
(At home or on vacation...)

 

[WDSearcher]

They are missing out because of that.

In your opinion, based on your life and family. In their opinion, they might not be missing out on anything.

 

[chobie]

In your opinion, based on your life and family. In their opinion, they might not be missing out on anything.

I think that's a given that this whole thread is about opinions. I really don't have to put JMO after everys sentence do I?

 

[Disney Ella]

Right so I guess the very best parenting would be to ensconce your child in a plastic bubble from birth until you marry them off so they can never fall down, get into trouble, see/hear/smell/taste/feel anything the parent does not approve of....

That definitely sounds like the Duggar parenting philosophy!

 

[WDSearcher]

Are you related to the Duggars in some way.

Like I said in an earlier post, why would anyone want to raise their children in an atmosphere that EXPECTS them to do something 'bad' vs looking for the good in people? Isn't THAT the Christian way instead of worrying about what they are doing in the bathroom how about praising them for the good they could or are doing? Are these kids abused, no but eventually they WILL have to live in the real world and their background is not preparing them for that.

I know PLENTY of teens that are able to go out with friends and not get into trouble and we have raised our kids to expect them to behave properly and so far they have not disappointed us at all.

No, I am not related to the Duggars in some way.

The only person who can answer why someone would want to raise their kids this way is the person raising them. You could always ask them. I'm sure their website has a Q&A section. Regardless ... it's just their choice. Why do so many people choose to go to WDW over and over and over again instead of taking a vacation to someplace real, like the Grand Canyon or the Everglades? Why do people spend hours defending their opinions to total strangers on a computer bulletin board while choosing not to have face-to-face conversations with people in the house next door? Why do people wear white after Labor Day? They do it because it's their right to choose to do that.

I also know PLENTY of teens that are able to go out with friends and not get into trouble. And I know PLENTY of teens who are not able to do that. That's beside the point. If the Duggars choose to follow a certain set of guidelines in order to raise their kids, they are fully within their rights to do so. There are a lot of kids in this world in far more need of help, support, education and socialization than the Duggar kids.

 

[chobie]

No, I am not related to the Duggars in some way.

The only person who can answer why someone would want to raise their kids this way is the person raising them. You could always ask them. I'm sure their website has a Q&A section. Regardless ... it's just their choice. Why do so many people choose to go to WDW over and over and over again instead of taking a vacation to someplace real, like the Grand Canyon or the Everglades? Why do people spend hours defending their opinions to total strangers on a computer bulletin board while choosing not to have face-to-face conversations with people in the house next door? Why do people wear white after Labor Day? They do it because it's their right to choose to do that.

I also know PLENTY of teens that are able to go out with friends and not get into trouble. And I know PLENTY of teens who are not able to do that. That's beside the point. If the Duggars choose to follow a certain set of guidelines in order to raise their kids, they are fully within their rights to do so. There are a lot of kids in this world in far more need of help, support, education and socialization than the Duggar kids.

No one said they do not have the right to raise their kids in a cult-like fashion away from the rest of the world. As long as there are not reports of abuse like in the poligmyists compounds, then they should be free to do as the please. And now that they have chosen to broadcast their freakish ways to the rest of the world, we have the right to comment on them like any other tv show.

 

[Quest4fun]

That's pretty condescending, isn't it? To assume that just because he's been raised a certain way, he won't be able to "make it."

From the show, we know that these kids interact with other people on vacations and at conventions and church functions. They speak well, ask intelligent questions, enjoy learning, and are kind, happy, smart kids. It's not like these kids have never interacted with anyone outside their own families. There's no reason to think that 20-year-old Josh is somehow socially stunted because of his upbringing. I grew up in the rural Midwest. I went to college in NYC. I was no more prepared for that culture shock than the Duggar kids might be for life outside the family. And yet, I managed to figure it all out. (And yeah ... I DID walk around those first few weeks making no eye contact and spending very little time outside of school and my dorm room. Because I was scared to death!)

My point is that college and the "real world" were hard for me. It wasn't any easier for me simply because I got to watch TV growing up and didn't have 17 brothers and sisters.

I understand your need to defend them. I don't think they need TV and all that rubbish. I just feel that his sheltered life does not lend to a successful run at law school. He cannot maintain the lifestyle he's grown accustomed to.

 

[bigmerle1966]

I was reading your response and started thinking about gender-specific roles. I couldn't think of too many.

Child bearer/birther (must be female)
Bra model (must be female)

That was all I could come up with.

Not necessarily!

 

[WelovMickey!]

Nice vacations, but I think the Dugger priorities are a little skewed. They currently have three young adults, 18, 18, and 20. It's sad they aren't given the opportunity to experience college, live on their own, and get a good education. They really do need to have a chance to do something else besides be buddies.
(At home or on vacation...)

Ok I don't watch the show but has anyone heard the parents tell the young adult sons that they could not move out, live on their own, or experience college? My cousin (very educated, he's a dentist) did not move until he was 35. He felt comfortable at home and he loved his parents. Do you think that it may be weird because these children really do love their parents and you don't see the "normal" rebellion of teens in there family?

 

[Quest4fun]

Ok I don't watch the show but has anyone heard the parents tell the young adult sons that they could not move out, live on their own, or experience college? My cousin (very educated, he's a dentist) did not move until he was 35. He felt comfortable at home and he loved his parents. Do you think that it may be weird because these children really do love their parents and you don't see the "normal" rebellion of teens in there family?

There's nothing wrong with loving and respecting their parents. This family is just bizarre which is why people are so fascinated by them.

 

[WelovMickey!]

There's nothing wrong with loving and respecting their parents. This family is just bizarre which is why people are so fascinated by them.

Ok but if I had 18 children I would need a system that worked. I could not parent the same way I do with just my 3 children. That would be a scary thing Meaning I am pretty laid back when it comes to mine but if I had 18 I would want to take lessons from Mrs. Dugger.

 

[sha_lyn]

As for "pimping their children and lifestyle on tv for financial gain," it's no different from "Jon & Kate" -- aren't they just "pimping their children and lifestyle on tv for financial gain?" Yet, I haven't seen any threads about how that is so improper and how dare they do that.

Just because you haven't seen the threads, doesn't mean they don't exist.
One thread was locked, and I stopped posting on the current one, because of the attacks against Kate.

 

[sha_lyn]

Ok I don't watch the show but has anyone heard the parents tell the young adult sons that they could not move out, live on their own, or experience college?

If you read up on their religious beliefs you will see that they do not believe in higher education for girls/women (and from quiver-fulls that I have met online higher means above 8th grade).
They don't believe in dating, but in parent supervised courting, even for adult children. They don't believe a child should move out until marriage to avoid temptation of "sins of the flesh".

 

[Aisling]

Depends on the Amish. Some groups shun the kids who decide to "run free" for their experimental year or two out in the world and then decide not to come back. They are shunned forever by family and friends. Not exactly open-minded

If I remember correctly from living with an Amish family for a few weeks while I was in college, they only shun those who have been willingly baptised/vowed to keep the Amish way of life, and then "run free." The young people who g out to feel their their oats and decide not to be baptised/live elsewhere not according to Amish tradition, are not shunned. They are treated respectfully as guests, but have no societal place in their community. The Amish are very open-minded. They allow their children to choose. I'm not saying they aren't broken hearted if the kids decide not to vow to the community, but they believe that's between the young adult and God.

When Amish young adults are courting, they are never chaperoned, and the tradition is that the young man comes into the young woman's home late at night, received in the kitchen, and spend time getting to know each other. Again, the Amish very strongly feel that the choice to remain must be of one's own FREE WILL.

I'm not high jacking this thread; I just have some intimate experience with the Old Order Amish of Pennsylvania.

 

[Aisling]

Ok I don't watch the show but has anyone heard the parents tell the young adult sons that they could not move out, live on their own, or experience college? My cousin (very educated, he's a dentist) did not move until he was 35. He felt comfortable at home and he loved his parents. Do you think that it may be weird because these children really do love their parents and you don't see the "normal" rebellion of teens in there family?

If they follow the Gothard philosophy of Christianity, which they do by the way, a young adult may not move out of the home until married. I have a link to that, I'll try to find it.

This is very different than choosing to live at home because it's working out for the family, like many people do.

 

[Quest4fun]

If I remember correctly from living with an Amish family for a few weeks while I was in college, they only shun those who have been willingly baptised/vowed to keep the Amish way of life, and then "run free." The young people who g out to feel their their oats and decide not to be baptised/live elsewhere not according to Amish tradition, are not shunned. They are treated respectfully as guests, but have no societal place in their community. The Amish are very open-minded. They allow their children to choose. I'm not saying they aren't broken hearted if the kids decide not to vow to the community, but they believe that's between the young adult and God.

When Amish young adults are courting, they are never chaperoned, and the tradition is that the young man comes into the young woman's home late at night, received in the kitchen, and spend time getting to know each other. Again, the Amish very strongly feel that the choice to remain must be of one's own FREE WILL.

I'm not high jacking this thread; I just have some intimate experience with the Old Order Amish of Pennsylvania.

Gotta love the Amish. The Huterites (sp?) are very similar. They do not shun those who leave and are very open to everybody even those that have left. It's all about free will. I don't think the Duggar's church is as into that notion as other religions. The higher education thing for women really gets my goat and I'm a guy. I'm sure it's all about maintaining the gender role of their women and ensuring that they're submissive to their husband which I don't think makes for a good marriage. As much as I would like for my wife to take a back seat like say when I want to fix something around the house I still make sure she's a part of every decision I make since it is a partnership. If I wanted a servant I'd hire a maid.

 

[Aisling]

About college education:

This is what's on the ATI website, the academic program that the Duggars use to educate their children. By the way, in order to be "approved" for these courses, "Families must agree to many guidelines in order to be accepted into the school and continue in it." These guidelines have to do with everything from child-rearing, to dress, to the promise to live a scripturally-based life...according to the interpretation of Bill Gothard.

Out of ATI has grown many ministries that are available to provide post secondary education in a controlled environment and create vehicles for personal ministry, also in a controlled environment.



Log Cabin Counselors – program for troubled youth

Orphans and homeless – offers shelter, character training and academics

Verity – distance learning program

Telos – distance learning AA degree program

Oak Brook College of Law and Government Policy – distance learning degree program

Excel – for young women

Alert – military-style Christian program for young men

Photography

Midwifery – for young women

CharacterLink – protected internet access

 

[LukenDC]

If they follow the Gothard philosophy of Christianity, which they do by the way, a young adult may not move out of the home until married. I have a link to that, I'll try to find it.

This is very different than choosing to live at home because it's working out for the family, like many people do.

There was recently an article in the New York Times about love and courtship in Saudi Arabia. Young Saudi men usually live with their parents until married and of course the women have no choice. The Duggars would feel very much at home in Saudi Arabia.