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Subscribe to RSSLove them or hate them, we can't deny people are talking about the Duggars. The super-sized family’s revelation on the TODAY show last week that Michelle Duggar is now pregnant with her 20th child was our biggest story ever on TODAY Moms, sparking more than 15,000 comments on the blog and our Facebook page. (For readers who have just joined us due to the Duggar coverage – welcome! Hope you’ll stick around. We write about other stuff too, honest.)
TODAY Moms editor Rebecca Dube, TODAY contributor Harriette Cole and parenting expert Hal Runkel explore why the nation is so fascinated by the Duggar family.
TODAY dedicated another segment this morning to our fascination with the most famous big family in America. As TODAY Moms editor, I have a few theories about why this story got so huge.
Live Poll
How do you feel about the Duggars?
- Size matters. The decision of how many kids to have is both intensely personal and intensely scrutinized. If you have an only child, people will lay guilt trips on you about how you really should give him/her a sibling. Have three or more children, and you’ll get comments like “are they ALL yours?!” and “you do know what causes that, right?” Unless you have two children -- a perfect boy/girl pair -- you’re pretty much guaranteed someone will second-guess your family size. For the Duggars, multiply that second-guessing by 20.
- Her poor uterus. Every woman who has given birth, and probably a few who haven’t, winced a little when Michelle joyfully announced that she’s expecting a 20th child to pass through her loins. Is that her choice? Absolutely. But does it make the rest of us want to cross our legs and double up on birth control? A little.
Related: Is having 20 babies safe? - One big, happy family... really? The Duggars, from the parents down to the kids, say they’re all happy leaving the size of their family in God’s hands. They say their system works for them, everyone gets love and attention, and everything’s just peachy at the Duggar house. Whether you believe them or not, a happy family is what we’re all after. Full disclosure: I've met them a few times backstage at the TODAY show, and they honestly do all seem happy. The fact that their huge family seems to work, when getting out the door in the mornings with one or two kids is a challenge for most of us, plants the question: What makes a happy family? What makes a good parent?
Related: How do the Duggar kids really feel about their mom's pregnancy? - Genuine concern. If you’re even a casual fan of the Duggars’ show on TLC, “19 Kids and Counting,” you know how dangerous her last pregnancy was and how little Josie, their youngest, barely pulled through after being born 3-and-a-half months early. That’s hard to watch, and many people genuinely don’t want to see the family suffer like that again. Sure, there are haters out there, but there are also genuinely worried people.
However you feel about them, one thing seems certain: like the Duggar family itself, the conversation about them will just keep growing, and growing, and growing....
Perhaps you have your own theories about why this family seems to inspire such passion: Please, share them in the comments.
TODAY
The Duggars: So many kids, so many questions...
Still not enough Duggars for you? We've got more:
Michelle Duggar announces she's pregnant with #20
What should the Duggars name their new baby?
Duggar kids share how they really feel about a new sibling
The Duggars give their advice to octuplet mom
How do you know how many kids to have?
Duggar Q&A: What's the hardest part of having so many children?
Parents of 19 now grandparents of 2
Rebecca Dube is editor of TODAY Moms and a senior editor at TODAY.com. She is the proud mother of an energetic 2-year-old boy who has not quite mastered the Duggar art of sitting still.
"Like" TODAY Moms on Facebook, and follow us @TodayMoms
Leave a Comment:
Having 20 kids is alittle much, but if they can afford to do it and NOT be on state assistance, then more power to them, but then again this world is over populated and having this many isn't helping.
I think it is great that they support themselves and their children. I do not agree with having so many that you cannot possibly give individual time and attention to them. I also do not agree with the older siblings having to raise their brothers and sisters and have the household burdens placed upon them. They had to sacrifice their childhood for their parents choices.
I think what makes this fascinating is that this is so clearly a modern day freak show.
All the people saying "more power to them" would never consider having 20 children of their own...and for good reason. She is damaging her health, denying all her kids the basics of parent/child interactions, enslaving the older children, and brainwashing all of them all into believing a woman's primary and most significant role is to be a breeder, no matter the costs.
They want the attention because they want to proselytize...and every new child means another round of renewed attention...but it's long past the point where it's working against them. No sane person would choose to have 20 children...and claim it's because they love children. They love their religion, they love the attention, they love feeling like they are the best xians out there because they've had more kids for christ than anyone else....but it's impossible to believe this has anything to do with wanting the best for the children they already have.
THIS type of family isn't the type which is the big worry concerning over-population. THIS family is completely & 100% supporting their own, with absolutely no help from government or tax-payers. They have never accepted that type of help, or any type of money from the government, with the sole exception of when Jim Bob was a state representative. But that tax-money was reimbursing him for his job .... can't place any blame for that. The ONLY type of help they have ever accepted, but never asked for, is non-family volunteers occasionally helping out with assorted projects ..... which my wife & I have done in the past, since the Duggars are almost our neighbours.
Anyone wanting to preach about overpopulation needs to focus their energy on adults who can't even support THEMSELVES, but still refuse to quit screwing. But that's not the EASY way to complain, is it? B!tching on an internet forum about the Duggars, since they are almost always news material every year or so ..... THAT'S the easy way to do it. Pitiful at just how lazy our society has become.
Use to make me mad, but now just irritates me when seeing that type of immaturity. It's quite literally a pandemic in the modern world, most especially on the internet. So no use to get mad at it, you'd stay mad 24/7.
It does make me curious however, just what percentage of the people who regularly whine about the Duggars, are not even parents, too young to be parents, or are parents living on tax-payer money & give-me's .... when there is absolutely no REAL reason why the parents can't work & save.
Or how many of these numerous complainers are parents who have made the personal choice to have only ONE kid ..... just as the Duggars made a choice to have as many as possible, and my wife & I made a choice to stop at 6. And I know without a doubt that at least a small percentage of the gripers only gripe about the Duggars because a specific religious belief plays a part in what they are doing. And EVERYONE knows that religion is to be absolutely hated & trashed with complete prejudice.
Eliminate the numbers in the groups above & I bet you'd wind up with only about 5, maybe 10% of the amount of haters which always, without fail, jump on the Duggars when they announce a pregnancy. And the VERY saddest thing about this entire deal is that if even just 50% of these haters & complainers would focus the vast energy they use posting all this junk into something actually productive, this world would be a MUCH nicer place. But they won't .... at least not 95% of them. Doing something GOOD isn't exciting, easy, or gratifying ..... complaining IS, at least to them.
Congrats Jim & Michelle. I know this may have been somewhat of a tiny surprise to you, as almost all pregnancies are, even when you're really trying hard to make one happen. But I also know this is a completely welcomed surprise also.
P.S. Before the haters pick up on it .... the wife & I DON'T have 6 kids. We still like 1. And our family is completely self-sufficient & financially secure, by our own means, none other .... as was my mothers family of 15 kids, and my wifes of 9 kids.
I support the Duggar's personal choice and wish the very best for Mrs. Duggar and her new baby. Most of the criticism probably comes from those very people who hold personal choice as sacred. (Pro Choice?)
The only hope for America is if good, moral, educated, working class people have more babies than the bad, immoral, uneducated, non-working class. Otherwise, take one guess how future elections will go. I'm just saying...
I work very hard to reduce my carbon footprint and minimize the resources that I use.
We are at 7 BILLION and counting. The earth is not a renewable resource. I support personal choice but question the impact that having large families will do to our limited resources.
Evelyn - Unfortunately, the welfare class is leaving little carbon footprints (voters) everywhere.
There is MUCH more to raising children then just supporting them.
These children are losing out on all the normal (and needed) parent/child interactions so that these people can show their god that they are just the very best xians out there.
When it comes to raising emotionally healthy kids...quantity does not beat quality.
NotKidding - From what I have seen and read about the Duggars, those children are not losing out on anything. I believe that loving family is going on a trip to Scotland on their next tv episode. Smart people. (You can have quantity AND quality.)
JK...I don't know if you have any kids (it seems you think having them for the purpose of providing voters is a good enough reason)...but money for trips and big houses and whatever else....isn't enough.
I come from a large family (by sane standards) and had a large family of my own...I know what it takes and how hard it can be to give each child the individual time and attention that is required to give them the best start in life. I also know what it was like growing up as an older child and being responsible for "co-parenting" the younger siblings...in a much smaller family than 20+. What these people are doing might be best for them...but it most certainly isn't the best for the children.
David and JK, great posts by both of you! I chose to only have one child, but my child is now grown and has four children. He did not like being an only child, and wanted his children to have siblings. And good for him as I love all my grandchildren very much.
I watch the show all the time, and I know all the Duggar children receive plenty of love and attention from their parents. In addition, Jim Bob and Michelle are raising well education children with high moral standards and a strong sense of community giveback. If more parents would take the same approach to child rearing, the use of drugs and alcohol by teens would drop, school violence and gangs would diminish, and teen pregnancies would also decline. This country is in a moral decline, and it will be our demise if we do not turn things around quickly.
As for their carbon footprint, it is very small. The buy used and when they travel they take their motor home which is more efficient for 20+ people than small families driving their cars on a per person basis. Jim Bob actually covered this topic on one of their episodes to address a question from a viewer.
You know what they do on camera...that's all.
How ironic. I understood that they discourage college for the kids, preferring them to work in used car lots and construction.
Religious isn't the same as moral. Morality is best learned and expressed in relation to the world around us...how we treat others. I understand that they are also discouraged from having much of anything to do with the world, except for people who think/believe/procreate much the same way they do.
I assume you mean more religious parents, not more super-breeder parents? About 85% of this country is religious....and it hasn't made a dent in any of the problems facing youth. Religious kids do drugs, drop out, get violent and get pregnant just like non-religious kids.
Again...you are speaking from a religious, not reality, standpoint. The morals of this country have consistently improved, we are more inclusive, less oppressive, more charitable and less judgmental...at least from the standpoint of our laws. It's only because as a society we are less willing to vilify the same people that the religious vilify that their impression is that we are morally deficient....but the reality is, that our current behavior is vastly more moral than fundamentalist religious behavior.
What's that saying again?.....Morality is doing what is right no matter what you are told. Religion is doing what you are told no matter what is right.
I am not a fan of the Duggar's. I really don't care. There are so many issues out their deserving a spot light or attention. What do I care if she's pregnant again or that she has 19 kids. Give us something more important to watch. To each their own. Keep it to yourselves.
NotKidding, I can understand why you would feel slighted at having to raise your younger siblings. As the oldest of 5, there were times I resented it, too. But I also cherish the fact that I got to have an impact on my sisters lives. They look up to me as a role model. (I did feel slighted growing up that I didn't receive enough attention from my mom, but it had nothing to do with how many kids she had. it had everything to do with how many boyfriends she had.)
I've turned out to be a well-adjusted member of society (and a Christian, as well, but that didn't happen until college) and the older kids seem happy with filling the roles they're in. For one thing, it's not like the older kids have to watch ALL of the younger ones. Each older one is assigned a younger "buddy", so each older kid is really only keeping an eye on one. And the parents are never too far away that they can't be involved. It's not like they leave the young ones with the teens and then bolt somewhere. For one thing, they're house only has 3 bedrooms in it. it's not like they're hiding out somewhere and can't be reached.
I managed to get all the love and attention I needed from my grandmother since my mom decided to checkout of the relationship. And our relationship is still strained. I love her, but it's not like we're super close. My sisters, on the other hand, have no problem talking to me or hanging out with me on a whim. They love me and my husband and can't wait for me to have kids, because they know I'll be a good mom. so let the Duggars have their way. They certainly aren't sitting around somewhere judging you for how many kids you have (or don't have.) but I guarantee if you said anything to them they would only respond that you are very entitled to your opinion and wish you the best in this life.
I know I wish you the same. God bless.
As an older child I had a lot of parental attention early on, so I didn't lack for that, but my younger siblings missed out on it.
I didn't, and don't, feel slighted or resentful...it all seemed perfectly normal. I was cooking at 7, doing laundry at 8 and babysitting younger siblings, three in diapers and one a newborn, by 9. I was the one who arranged the birthday parties and made the lunches and walked my siblings to and from school. I did fine, but I used to have recurring nightmares for most of my childhood, usually about something happening to one of my siblings while I was looking after them. I don't regret it, I'm a very competent and resourceful person and it was what it was, but I would never put my own children through that.
You are only a kid for a short time...adult life is full of obligations, responsibilites, duties, chores and routine...I let my kids have a childhood.
What the Duggars do is their business...I'm not saying they should or shouldn't do anything...I'm only saying that they aren't doing it because they love kids...they have other reasons for it....because what they're doing is not the best thing they could do for the kids they already have.
They aren't asking the public to support their 20 children. Whether you agree or disagree, the Duggars are doing an excellent job with their children. If she has the patience, the support and the finances to do it, then go for it! Who are others to judge another's choice?
The Today Show seems more interested in damage control for another Network than to really look at the issue. What was the ratio of positive to negative responses? What does overpopulation play into this? Just because you can have another child (what "doctor" OK that!), does mean you should.
To blame negative remarks to envy and jealousy is further feeding into THEIR ego.
amagopslop said:
"what "doctor" OK that!"
"does mean you should."
And just because you know how to use a keyboard ..... DOESN'T mean you should.
Wow, you showed me up.
But it still doesn't answer the question of even if a doctor approved of a 45 year old woman with 19 kids having more, should they (besides for ratings)?
I have four children and there is NO WAY they could be giving any quality time to 20.
As long as she is healthy and her body can go through another pregnancy and they take care of them and are not on any type of state assistance that the taxpayers are paying for they can have as many as they want
yeah but didn't the doctor tell her another would or could rather kill her ?
i was told this after each of my 9 pregnancies...you will note im still here.
I come from a family with 8 other siblings and yes 4 half brothers..I think the duggars are an awesome family and take pride in there lives...they are a well rounded family and show class and respect to everyone...Im very excited for the birth of the 20th child...what mother would not love to home school there children and be there for them all day long.... Im a stay at home mom..and I love being home with my girls everyday and not many families can do that right now these days...I love them and watch them all the time:):)i have 2 names in mind for a girl...I love Julia... and for a boy I like Jace.....congrats Duggar family well wishes:):):)
I hope you are not home schooling your children as you do not know the difference between their and there.
Yay! I'm so glad that there's another poster out there who knows sixth-grade grammar!
If They r doing this all on their own and she feels that she can keep doing it then she should. But I will say that once ur a grandma u should not still think its okay to be a new mom. I hope the bast to her and her family and I know what it is like to have a premee baby and i would never wish that on anyone. Good Luck Duggers.
I agree, she should accept that she is a grandma now, enjoy her kids AND pay some attention to the poor grandkids and pass on the torch to her daughter-in-law instead of being in competition with her now it seems!! sad.
I am not a fan of the Duggar's. I think it is all about attention and money. Yes they have done a good job with their children, and jealousy is not an issue. We have done a great job with our children, they are well educated, well dressed and have manners. But we don't have a television show to help pay for our family, or wrote a book, put videos out, or go on shows to tell about our family.
As the babies grow up, the parents get older. Honestly the babies won't have the time with their parents that the other kids have had.
Why do they need 20 kids? Is it for their own need and fulfillment? I think they have gone to far.
They made the decision to let God decide how many children they were to have long before they ever got a TV show. That is not what it's all about for them, raising Godly children is, and they're doing a great job of it. Those who say they are contributing to overpopulation make no sense at all, we need hardworking contributing members of society. It's the women who get pregnant over and over again by different men and take drugs thru out their pregnancies and live on welfare, they are the overpopulation problem, their kids will grow up living on welfare and continue the cycle. The Duggar kids get much more parent time than many children, the average kid is dumped at the daycare or school while both parents work, when parents get home from work they're tired and sprawl in front of the TV while the kids play on their PS3s and Xboxes. The Duggar's are stay at home parents who homeschool, I don't know how you can say they don't spend time with their kids!
Does god also decide how often they have sex?
There is NO WAY ON EARTH one mother can care for 20 children with the attention that they need and deserve. Letting the older ones take care of the younger ones isn't giving them quality time with the mother. I don't care how many children she has, it does't effect me. However, I think the kids are getting the short end of the stick.
I might be late but when I heard about #20 I was like "this is ridiculous." But looking Past the Number and looking at the quality of the family's dynamic you can not help but be jealous. Any woman who has child(ren) can respect, admire, and commend this Mom for keeping her Faith first, Husband next, and then her children. Managing to do what I try to do every day with a smile on her face most of the time deserves HIGH accolades!! I know they are so blessed and healthy because they keep God first and family next :)
Well, that's what they show on TV.
I don't particularly admire her for putting her children last....and I don't think that alone qualifies her as a "good mother". I have no idea what sort of mother she is...but in our family....the children's needs always came first.
You know the news and people need to get their facts straight. The reason Michelle Dugger went into pe-eclampsia is not due to her AGE she had a GALLBLADDER Attach which can happen at any age as well as pre-eclampsia can also happen at any age.
My mother was 16 when she had me and at 8 months had a full blown GALLBLADDER attach. Also, if you listen carefully on the Duggers show Michelle did mention that she had preeclampsia with her 3rd or 4th child during which she was in her 20's.
40 does not mean that you are falling apart and your health is bad. but i guess it is only ok for Julia Roberts, Jullianne Moore, Brook Shields, Mariah Carey, and Meryl Streep. Just to name a few who have had children over 40. Wow how discriminating.
Oh and how do we know these women can support thier families, Wow really like Meryl Streep did it on her own and she has not been married since 1978!
If you are a woman fortunate enough to have a loving husband who has helped you to maintain your health, WOW how great is that!
If a woman is healthy enough to have a child until she stops when ever that is, then why here in the US is this such an issue, we do not live in other areas around the world, if you know what I mean.
I am turning 45 on 12/1 and still have not been married and do not have children, YET! This is so encouraging to me. God always does the best thing for us.
God has given the Duggers this opportunity to have this show, not for their own well being but for America. To show that in the midst of all the negativity against the family unit there can be families that have harmony in their live and amongst each other. This does not mean that trials and troubles will not come, but Oh boy! What a gift we all have getting a chance to see how this couple handled this situation and how they raise their family.
I'm so glad Michelle had some time not being pregnant so she could get to do the athletic and adventurous she got to do, but so happy she is having another baby to show the world that only God has the last word, whether we understand this or not. But Jim Bob and Michelle do.
I still hope she has a few more and then stops soon so she can go skiing and stuff more often. But that is not for me to say But GOD and GOD alone.
God Bless all of you and enjoy this wonderful gift.
I agree that people are hostile when something goes against what they believe. Pro-choice people are all upset when it comes to someone attempting to prevent a woman from having an abortion. They would be ticked because they believe nobody should be interfering with a woman's reproductive rights.
What about Michelle Duggar's reproductive rights? It sure is a double standard. I do think her children are loving and respectful.
I am pro choice....because I actually care about kids and think that every child born deserves to be wanted, loved and cared for.
In this case...I just wish it was by the parents and not the other siblings because there are just far too many children for the parents to possibly parent them all. I think these people are having babies because it's what they do for themselves...not because it's the best thing for the kids.
Okay,I know God said be fruitful and multiply but come on. There are ladies who would love to have just one child of their own--I am one of them!!!
Sooooo...if you can't have one, nobody else should?
Jeez, Granny - take it easy. No need to get nasty - Valley never said that.
No they are not on any kind of government assistance, commendable in these times. Times are tough. But, it has to be assumed that they are making the majority of their income through the TV show, which is pretty sad. I question having baby number 20. I know it's completely none of my business, but one has to wonder was it planned? Does the prospect of a new Duggar keep the show going a little longer? The publicity train that this family rides is pathetic!!! "Ok lets pack up the whole family, and head to Rock Center to announce once again that we are pregnant, which will set off a brand new media storm, which will in turn make more people tune in to our baseless TV show."
As the parent of a teenager who (lets be honest parents of teenagers) no matter how well we raise her, no matter how much we emphasize good manners, no matter who much church and religion and good word that we preach (and I do, as a christian educator), there are days when I lose my temper, yell, she yells back, etc. I find it very, very difficult to believe that those moments don't happen in the Duggar home. HOW CAN IT NOT!!! It's got to be a hot bed of hormones on any given day.
I think I'd be more apt to tune into their show if it showed real reality and not the staged stuff that TLC and the Duggars opt to show. Show me Jim Bob grounding some kids, show me Michelle losing her cool.
One of my favorite sayings: People judge others by what they would do themselves.
emma1012, obviously you don't watch the show or even have a clue......planned this pregnancy? ROTFLMAO!! Thier entire belief system says that GOD is in charge of how many children come their way. So planned? Yeah,by you-know-who, the one who planned the universe.
Emma1012, the Duggars support their family through real estate and rental properties, NOT the reality show. The Duggars do not raise their voices to their children or lash out at them. Try watching their show and reading their books (borrow from the library if you don't want to pay for them) before you ASSUME a whole lot of nonsense that may be true for you but isn't for them.
Not on government assistance, but as a former state representative, they do receive free lifetime health insurance benefits. For a family that size, the cost to taxpayers must be immense. I don't think they would be taking extravagant vacations either if it were not for the money they earn on the show.
As an in-law to Josh and Anna Duggar, I think Michelle and Jim are great people. They love their kids and dont live off the state. My concern is when the children grow up and dont want to live like mom & dad Duggar, how will Michelle and Jim handle that?? I know they are members of Advanced Training Institute that Bill Gothard is head over. Anna's parents are members of the same "home school group", which has taught them to cut-off and have nothing to do with their older children who have decided not to be a part of A.T.I. This has hurt Anna's siblings tremedously. I hope that the Duggars handle their adult children differently than Anna's parents have. I know A.T.I has caused tremendous problems for the Keller family and I hope it doesnt do the same for the Duggars.
That is a cult.
Hi Candice, that is sad and so terrible about Anna's siblings being cut off just because they grew up and decided the lifestyle wasn't for them. That doesn't seem at all "Christian" to cut off your kids just because they have a different idea about how they want to live their life, right? I don't think the Duggars would be at all pleased with any kids who would sway from their way of living either. They have brainwashed their kids for sure. But it's easy to brainwash them when they don't let them attend public school or have any outside influences that they do not choose them to have contact with.
Candace, I am sorry to hear that the Keller's have treated some their children so badly who do not live their lifestyle. I watch the Duggar's show all the time and I do not believe that Jim Bob and Michelle would cut their ties to any of their children who don't follow their lifestyle. I say this for two reasons -- Jim Bob and Michelle constantly tell their children that they can do and be anything they want to be, and secondly they are very warm and gracious. I do not get a sense from the Keller's when they appear on the show that they are either warm or gracious -- just my opinion. All the best to you and may God bless you always.
Why does NBC feel they need to justify their fawning over this strange family? Why does NBC want to promote overpopulation? For all the attention that NBC gives this freak show, they will encourage them to have as many kids as possible. If NBC quit promoting every conception, they'd quit having kids.
America is not obsessed with the Duggars, the Today show is. It's either Kate Gosslin, the Duggars, the Royals or whatever celebrity scandal is going on.
I say talk to the older kids in 10 -20 tears and lets see what they really have to say about their life. I am sure they (the children) are acting parents most of the time. Not one child has gone to college, why? Let the children live their own lives and stop raising their siblings!
No I don't agre 20 kids is ok,and let the older kids take care of the younger ones constandly,I wonder if the kids have the time to spare with some friends or go to college or so when they get older or do something on the outside like most other kids do, and what a live the mother really has. ??
What a fun family good luck with the 20th
I don't feel that it's anyone's business. They are financially supporting all their children and they are awesome parents. I just pray that she and the baby are healthy and safe in the end. I know what it's like to loose a baby and I wouldn't wish that on anyone. While my husband and I decided after loosing our baby this year to be very careful to not get pregnant again because the loss was too hard, I can understand the wanting another child. I only have a step-son that's 25 and three daughters 19, 17. and 5 but if you can handle more then great. She's a strong woman to be able to handle losing a baby and to still go on to have more. All of their children are well behaved and you have to respect their family/religious values. After all, none of their children have been in trouble with the law or gotten pregnant young and unmarried like so many other people's children in the world. If they can safely have more children and raise them in a healthy happy home then more power to them.
Kimmie: the networks that are splaying all of their business over the airwaves and televisions make it everyones business, blatantly. It is bad enough that most of the write ups are hard to read through because of spelling and such.
If they wanted a private life, they would not have a reality show and if they didnt want sympathy, they would not have a reality show and if they did not want ridicule, they would not have a reality show. See the pattern?
Though I believe the Duggers are an emotionally-healthy family, and it appears the parents can afford to have a litter of children, the world cannot afford families like the Duggers.
And about leaving the size of their family "in God's hands." the medical intervention required in the last go-round kind of negates that.
I know a woman who had 27 miscarriages until medical science was able to catch up and she in her late 40's finally had two sons. This woman will still that it was God's intervention through science that helped her finally have children.
My great grandmothers each had many children; the last was usually born around age 42. The Duggars will be in their mid-sixties when this latest child is of age. Perhaps they have given that some thought. Also, since she has had a very high risk pregnancy, she might want to make sure she is alive to raise those she has. I may be wrong, but I'll bet her husband would be remarried in a week if anything happened to her.
She did not have a high risk pregnancy because of her age, she had a gall bladder attack during the middle of the pregnancy and this caused the pre-eclampsia.
The reason Michelle Dugger went into pe-eclampsia is not due to her AGE she had a GALLBLADDER Attack which can happen at any age as well as pre-eclampsia can also happen at any age.
My mother was 16 when she had me and at 8 months had a full blown GALLBLADDER attack. Also, if you listen carefully on the Duggers show Michelle did mention that she had preeclampsia with her 3rd or 4th child during which she was in her 20's.
A woman can have children when they see fit, i mean providing that pro-choice is still in effect! So if a woman can choose to discontinue a pregnancy then why can they not continue one at any age, Really!!
She can Delia. But the OP was just saying that if it kills her, what then for the other children? Maybe she has a sister that will step in and take over the family and husband for them.
What if she dies in an car accident? What if a tornado comes and swipes her of the face of the earth?
Why should any sister take over. It is rediculas to even mention this. For that matter we should all live our lives every day, every minute What IF!
Oh my goodness!!!!
These are wise people who have set themselves up for any situation that might arise. Both financial and Spiritually.
Whether you understand trusting in God or not it has been proven throughout centuries the millions of people that do believe, know and trust God for their very lives no matter what happens.
Delia, all your posts are very well stated! Thanks.
I 100% agree - this is a paternalistic ego trip.
Delia, you have stated many times now that Mrs. Duggar did not have a high risk pregnancy because of her age, she had a gall bladder attack during the middle of the pregnancy and this caused the pre-eclampsia. This is simply not the case. The changes due to preeclampsia can mirror symptoms of gall bladder disease but gall bladder disease or gall stones are NOT in fact a cause of preeclampsia. Many times, a misdiagnosis is made of a gall/liver problem early on in pregnancy when it is later found through more thorough testing to be preeclampsia.
I can't really see the difference between "trusting in god" and just avoiding making any rational decisions for yourself.
If we all "trusted in god" the way this family does...then why work? God will provide, won't he? The bible says he will...lilies of the field and all that. Why bother even getting out of bed in the morning? If god wants you to get up, he'll set the alarm, right? If god is making all of your life decisions for you...then what's the point of having a life at all? Just to be a player in god's big puppet show?
Common sense is just too rare.
Again, I see that the interview complete skips over the fact that we live on an overpopulated planet, that cannot sustain the current population growth. Yes, on the brightside they can afford to take care of their family without state aid. On the downside they are contributing to the overpopulation of the planet. The planet will not survive people such as the Duggars, but Gods will be done. God must truly hate his failed experiment of humanity because it seems his will is to destroy it as quickly as possible.
Humanity is on the march, earth itself is left behind. David Ehrenfeld
Exactly, Keith. It's about responsibility for the environment and the planet we share. Some people chose to be responsible and control the size of their families, others proudly claim to have no choice in the matter. I find the Duggars and their insistence that it's not their choice irresponsible and selfish. Worst of all is that they're teaching their MANY children that this is right and proper.
I'm with you on this, Keith. How incredibly irresponsible these people are, and arrogant to boot. So what if they don't need public aid to support them? Do the math in terms of the HUNDREDS of resource-using mouths this couple is spawning within a few generations, if their spawn begat the same number of spawn. It's our world, too, Mr. and Mrs. Duggar.
The planet isn't THAT over-populated. I did a case study in college, and based on UN statistics, (and this was 5 years ago), if you took the entire population of the planet and split them into 4 person units, then gave each unit a 2,500 sq. ft. home, the entire population of the planet would fit within the borders on Montana. This isn't any psycho numbers that I imagined. it was based on UN statistics. The Duggars have a smaller carbon footprint than most 4 person families. they make their own soap, most of their own food from scratch, and the girls even sew their own dresses. They have an eco-friendly house with an open floor plan so they don't need much air conditioning/heating.
So while there may be 7 billion people on the planet, part of the reason we can't feed most of them is because the average American throws away enough food on a regular basis to feed a family of 4. how about we stop wasting what we have and start being smart with what we use? The Duggars seem to have figured that out. Maybe it's time the rest of us did, too.