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Archive through September 06, 2009

Reality TVClubHouse Discussions: Other Reality Shows ARCHIVES: Archives for 2007~2010 WrapUps: Archives for 2009 - 5: 19 Kids and Counting - Duggar Family: Archive through September 06, 2009 users admin

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Kittyab
Member

07-15-2005

Friday, September 04, 2009 - 11:40 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Kittyab a private message Print Post    
I grew up in a large family too. What I see with this family a larger version of my own. I turned out ok ;)

Ladyw
Member

06-28-2007

Friday, September 04, 2009 - 1:00 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Ladyw a private message Print Post    
I think I read or heard somewhere that the older kids are doing on-line colleges, but that if they expressed an interest in going to an actual college he would embrace that. I can't remember which one, but I think Ginger or Jessa maybe would be a great teacher in an actual school system. The older one Jana, I feel is too quite and reserved and will definetly go the mom route.

Jgalt
Member

02-17-2009

Friday, September 04, 2009 - 9:01 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Jgalt a private message Print Post    
As much as I admire this family in many ways, I have to say the kids are very isolated. I believe they would perfer for the girls to be moms instead of going out in the world, and it is a bit cultish in it's feel and look. I so admire the love of family, their morals in today's world, their sense of responsiblity and charity, but the down side is their almost total isolation from the general public in their day to day living. I think they see the outside world as generally tainted ( actually it would be hard to argue this point), but I'm afraid in the long run this may harm them, unless they stay in this circle of people.

Twiggyish
Member

08-14-2000

Saturday, September 05, 2009 - 7:41 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Twiggyish a private message Print Post    
It's not about coming from a large family.

Jgalt, I agree with you.

Legalboxer
Member

11-17-2003

Saturday, September 05, 2009 - 8:19 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Legalboxer a private message Print Post    
i am not one to usually step into these discussions but it is driving me crazy to hear all the false assumptions/perspections. The family is NOT isolated - and never has been. No one in that family could have been isolated when Jim Bob was a state senator for two terms and then ran for the US Senate (this was before any TV deals came calling) ... plus they hold financial freedom seminars (be it religious themed) every year which brings in people from all around their area and both Michelle and Jim Bob were real estate agents which means they have to interact with the general public all the time ... Josh started a part time consulting company working with elected officials because of the interest he got from politics watching his dad and now owns a car dealership that he runs with his wife - who he met at a conference - which the family would go to every year...

lets not forget what we see on TV is VERY limited filming - just like with the Gosselins who are only filmed a few times over a series of months, the Duggars are NOT filmed every day - and just like the Gosselins, most of that filming will be done at their home - especially since i am sure the TV producers dont want to deal with trying to get permission to film in other houses/buildings where the kids might be visiting friends ...

and as for anna - she did come from a family of 8 in Florida and was home schooled - and like Josh she graduated from high school at 16 BUT then went and got her Bachelors while going with her father to help work with kids in detention centers - if that isnt exposure to the real world i dont know what is - and now she is running the car dealership with Josh - not just staying home as a good wife - so lets not make assumptions about her (or any of the girls) about the life they will be leading because it looks to me that all the kids have the right to make any choice they want - and know to be responsible in that choice.

Nan
Member

09-25-2000

Saturday, September 05, 2009 - 10:11 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Nan a private message Print Post    
Legalboxer.....sooooo much agree with you.
What impresses me so much about this family is the kindness toward each other and everyone else, you never hear them "dis" other people, even the younger ones are kind with their words..just a very refreshing family.

Texannie
Member

07-16-2001

Saturday, September 05, 2009 - 10:31 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Texannie a private message Print Post    
ITA too. I am impressed with how the sibling treat each other. I wish my two were that kind to each other!

Ophiliasgrandma
Member

09-04-2001

Saturday, September 05, 2009 - 11:25 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Ophiliasgrandma a private message Print Post    
Well, said, Legalboxer. Kudos!

Jgalt
Member

02-17-2009

Saturday, September 05, 2009 - 5:10 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Jgalt a private message Print Post    
I don't want what I said to be misconstrued. I love this family and deeply admire them in so many ways. I'm only saying I do see a down side to the way they are living. Of course I'm sure they wouldn't consider there are any down sides.The older children do seem to have to shoulder a lot of responsibility for their younger siblings. I realize in most large, more traditional American families, this also happens, but in both cases I feel the older children are robbed a bit of being teenagers.

When I stated "isolated", I certainly didn't mean in the Jim Jones or Waco type of way. I meant they don't seem to have sleepovers with children outside their "sect" or religion, playmates over from different groups of people, that sort of thing. I feel this narrows their view of the world, BUT, if they are happy in their world , all the power to them.

Texannie
Member

07-16-2001

Saturday, September 05, 2009 - 5:49 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Texannie a private message Print Post    
meant they don't seem to have sleepovers with children outside their "sect" or religion, playmates over from different groups of people,

i am not sure my kids would be that much different..their friends are their school friends and church friends.

Hukdonreality
Member

09-29-2003

Saturday, September 05, 2009 - 6:16 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Hukdonreality a private message Print Post    
The Duggars religion apparently prohibits dancing. On the last show I saw, they went to NYC and ate at an Ethiopian restaurant. Even the older children acted very inappropriate IMO, the first time I'd ever seen them act any way other than well behaved. They seemed to be looking at people of color out of the corners of their eyes, and I didn't think they were at all comfortable there. I don't think it was just in response to the dancing, they even had that "ooh, stay away from me" look when they passed a person of color while entering the restaurant. Did anyone else notice that? Just an observation.

Tntitanfan
Member

08-03-2001

Saturday, September 05, 2009 - 7:06 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Tntitanfan a private message Print Post    
WE are rarely comfortable with that which is unfamiliar to us. Depending on what part of the country this family is from - can you tell I don't watch the show? - AA's or people of color may be a new experience in their lives. I have lived in the south all of my life, so I have had the opportunity to know people from the inside out, but other people may not have had that chance.

Seamonkey
Moderator

09-07-2000

Saturday, September 05, 2009 - 9:05 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Seamonkey a private message Print Post    
Legal, good points.. but I also feel that for all of us, we have many rights but that doesn't always make for the wisest choices. I think they mean well, but think in terms of what they want and not of the ultimate impact.. we all impact the earth and environment and it needs careful stewardship. Just my opinion, naturally.

Texannie
Member

07-16-2001

Sunday, September 06, 2009 - 6:25 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Texannie a private message Print Post    
huk'd, i wasn't crazy with how they acted at the Ethiopian restaurant either, but it seemed more like bad manners with not liking the food than anything racial. they did go to the restaurant after all, if they had not wanted to experience something different they could have just not gone.

it's funny, i never really could stand watching the show. i thought exactly what everyone else did..they were odd zombies, being raised sort of cultish. but,one day there wasn't anything else on and i think maybe a marathon, but i watched alot of shows. i found out my preconceived perceptions were just wrong. i could never make alot of the choices they have (so many kids, homeschool, no watching tv!) but i do admire that they are without debt and raising their children that way too and how close the family is and how well they treat one another. And while the girls may not be fashion plates, to have teenage girls not obessed with facebook, texting and the latest designer threads while seemingly to be quite confident and self assured is definitely saying something!!

Hukdonreality
Member

09-29-2003

Sunday, September 06, 2009 - 7:26 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Hukdonreality a private message Print Post    
Don't anyone misunderstand me, I do like this family a lot! As I said, it was the first time I'd seen any behaviors other than stellar ones while out in public, and I found it strange.

Twiggyish
Member

08-14-2000

Sunday, September 06, 2009 - 9:09 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Twiggyish a private message Print Post    
The mother herself explained the duties of the children in the house and showed them doing those duties. She also showed the industrial kitchen (they have two one normal one). I'm not making assumptions. She also stated that she taught the homeschooling, but the daughter is now teaching it. I stand by my previous opinion.

Twiggyish
Member

08-14-2000

Sunday, September 06, 2009 - 9:53 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Twiggyish a private message Print Post    
Mr. Duggar is a big advocate of Bill Gothard, who preaches a much stricter and almost extreme branch of Christianity. If you Google this man Bill Gothard and his beliefs, you'll see his view of women and their role in the house and in society.

http://www.rapidnet.com/~jbeard/bdm/exposes/gothard/general.htm

http://www.pfo.org/evol-fad.htm

http://www.midwestoutreach.org/02-Information/02-OnlineReference/02-UnorthodoxyGuide/105-IKnowSomething/Gothard-IBLP/Allen-IssuesOfConcern.html

http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Forum/9575/goth_allen1.html

Bill Gothard is considered by some to teach cultish beliefs.

I don't totally dislike this family. I am concerned about the amount of work that is placed on the children, especially the girls. I feel the girls in particular will not be given the complete freedom to chose their futures. They are isolated from other children not in their belief system. That has been proven.

If they are happy..more power to them.

Hukdonreality
Member

09-29-2003

Sunday, September 06, 2009 - 10:02 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Hukdonreality a private message Print Post    
Seems to me that if you're not exposed to the outside world much, you won't want it. I think they're a wonderful family, full of great values and plenty of love. But as others have said, I don't think the children will ever choose to leave the only thing they know, so I find that a bit sad.

Texannie
Member

07-16-2001

Sunday, September 06, 2009 - 11:15 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Texannie a private message Print Post    
unless there was something dramatic about our childhood, how many of us truly do something different from the way we were raised? i live in the same town, i married a boy from the same town. my husband went into the same business his dad was in. i went to college 4 hours away, my husband 3. my kids hang out with their school/church/neighborhood friends.

Ophiliasgrandma
Member

09-04-2001

Sunday, September 06, 2009 - 11:26 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Ophiliasgrandma a private message Print Post    
I live about a mile from where I was raised and have lived a life not much different than my mother. I was given every opportunity to chose a different path, but chose not to. I'm content even if I didn't set the world on fire.

Hukdonreality
Member

09-29-2003

Sunday, September 06, 2009 - 11:39 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Hukdonreality a private message Print Post    
Most of us have a circle of neighborhood friends, schoolmates, work pals, etc. that we develop all on our own. My parents never limited me to any type of person to hang out with or befriend. The Duggar kids; however, only seem to have a few large families that they hang out with, and there have not been any shows to dispute this. Their circle includes families, not individuals. It has been said numerous times on the show that they have met the "so and so family" through a church function or through the home school situation. I don't think it has been happenstance that these homeschooling families have always been dressed in a similar style of dress etc, which leads me to believe they are religiously based friends as well.

We aren't privvy to anything more than what they let us see on their show. Until I see a child or two venturing out to somewhere other than a church function or grocery shopping, I won't believe that they have any opportunities to meet new friends at all other than what is prescribed by their parents.

I have 2 sisters and a brother. I am not friends with any of their friends, nor are they with mine. We certainly KNOW a number of these friends, but we are individuals with differing interests and personalities.

I think the Bates oldest daughter gives off a "children of the corn" vibe. I can't help but be sort of scared of her! Sorry, but I think she's wierd.

Hukdonreality
Member

09-29-2003

Sunday, September 06, 2009 - 11:47 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Hukdonreality a private message Print Post    
This is the Bates daughter I'm talking about. I guess what creeped me out the most is when they were singing "If the devil doesn't like it, he can sit on a tack..." and they all stood up as if they'd sat on a tack. She acted like it was the world's funniest song ever and I find it so ick that she's way to old to be all giggly about that song... just my opinion



Sherbabe
Member

07-28-2002

Sunday, September 06, 2009 - 1:31 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Sherbabe a private message Print Post    
I can't see any of the Duggar kids "courting" any of the Bates kids.

Happymom
Member

01-20-2003

Sunday, September 06, 2009 - 1:44 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Happymom a private message Print Post    
I know she is part of their extended family, but the Duggar's cousin Amy is someone they are exposed to on a regular basis that is not exactly like them. She wears jeans etc. She is not homeschooled with them.

Mom Duggar said that one of the daughters was the school coordinator. I don't remember mom saying that meant that she (mom) didn't do any of the homeschooling anymore.

Re: Ethiopean restaurant. There was some incense that was strong and gave some or many of them headaches. They are almost all kids, teens and down. I thought their manners were fine for the circumstances. I didn't see any bad manners. As far as one of the younger kids saying he didn't like the food, that was his honest opinion and I didn't see that it was bad manners.

I think that Bates daughter is very pretty. Doesn't bother me at all that she wa giggling at a song. I think it is great when people are happy and find delight in other things.

It doesn't bother me at all that her giggling may get on other people's nerves either. There's room for almost every opinion and feeling in the world.

Nan
Member

09-25-2000

Sunday, September 06, 2009 - 2:12 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Nan a private message Print Post    
To me at the restaurant, it seemed to be more of an uncomfortable situation for them, not used to dancing, incense, and the food was different. I didn't see bad manners, just kids being kids....also about the Bates girl, they aren't used to being on tv, so that in itself may make them self conscious, plus these kids are alot more "innocent and naive", not having been exposed to tv, music, etc... so they may react differently to unfamiliar things.