The following article contains references to spiritual abuse and child sexual abuse.
Things have changed for the kids of “19 Kids & Counting” since it premieredin 2008.
There are certain incidents fans won’t soon forget.
Perhaps viewers feel nostalgic about the show, or perhaps they’ve adopted a forgiving attitude.
(The Bible warns against casting the first stone, after all.)
Here are some of the more problematic situations surrounding the famous mega-clan.
If you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, help is available.
Visit the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Networkwebsiteor contact RAINN’s National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
“Former members spoke out against the group, which they called a cult.
Homeschooling is the norm, and many IBLP families use the Advanced Training Institute program developed by Gothard.
The Bible-based curriculum has been called an inadequate education.
Over the years, most of the adult Duggar children have broken from the group.
Their obedience methods have been called abusive
Fans often marveled at the Duggar children’s exemplary behavior.
Sibling squabbles were rare, everyone helped around the house, and no one talked back to their parents.
Eventually, the child learns to stay put.
“But gradually, it became a common practice.”
The authors of “Train Up” claim the technique curbs children’s instincts and creates a happy household.
Critics beg to differ.
Others point out that obeying a parent out of fear is different from doing so out of love.
The girls took charge of everything from dressing and feeding to supervising their homeschooling homework and music lessons.
The Duggar parents began assigning buddies in 2001, when Jana was just 11 years old.
Having been raised to obey their parents, the girls didn’t have the choice of saying no.
One interviewee said, “Nobody said, ‘Is anybody checking to see if that 11-year-old had some needs?
That maybe she shouldn’t have the baby in bed with her?
That maybe she needs school?’
I cannot emphasize enough how hurtful that is.”
Jana had plenty of experience, thanks to her years looking after siblings Jason, Jackson, and Josie.
But even the most experienced childcare provider can have moments of poor judgment or wandering attention.
Such was the case in September of 2021.
Someone saw the child wandering alone and notified the police.
Jana was served with a citation for endangering the welfare of a minor.
The story quickly made news with some reports wrongly stating she had been arrested.
Jana tried to calm things down by issuing a rare statement on her Instagram Stories (viaPeople).
Many family members either have real estate licenses or do construction work.
The couple purchased a vacant 11-acre lot in Elkins, Arkansas, in the spring of 2021.
The plan was to turn the lot into an RV park and collect fees from the users.
The neighbors had other ideas.
Local residents who attended a town meeting shouted down the plan, citing health and safety concerns.
Others echoed the fear of having so many strangers in close proximity to the local schools and daycare center.
The Forsyths ended up selling the property in 2023, netting just $5,500 in profit.
Their courtship and engagement were lightning-quick even by Duggar standards.
After nearly a year, Jason allegedly told Thompson to pay for someone else to finish the job.
(He does call himself “a licensed contractor” in hisbioon the Duggar family website, however.)
