Can We Please Stop Fawning Over The Duggars?

theothergyllenhaal
wrote on December 22 2008 @ 11:41 am: [report]

“Today we’re drawing straws to see which five of you get to go to college!”

Reagan
wrote on December 22 2008 @ 11:43 am: [report]

I only count 16 kids…are there 18 of them including the two parents?  Or are there two kids not pictured?  Why do I even care?

Amelia
wrote on December 22 2008 @ 11:44 am: [report]

@Reagan There’s 18 total now, this photo is just old.

shannac02
wrote on December 22 2008 @ 11:47 am: [report]

ugh. Agreed. YUCK! I realize they’re all religious and everything, but GEEZ! two words: The Pill. UCK. I mean, I’m from a farm family and I understand the sentiment of having 28 kids so they can do all the chores and farm work, but come on people! Enough is Enough!

Arty
wrote on December 22 2008 @ 11:53 am: [report]

Amen, Amelia!

I have to wonder how they managed to get all those kids to sit still for the photo.

Humble Bee
wrote on December 22 2008 @ 11:57 am: [report]

My mom has 8 and i’m still begging her to stop popping them out. Ive decided to make up for the 8 kids, by not having any!!! yay me!

lalaland
wrote on December 22 2008 @ 12:18 pm: [report]

I just have to wonder how it all still works! Poping out 18 children is not easy on one’s body!

Jamie Lee
wrote on December 22 2008 @ 12:48 pm: [report]

I saw on the today show this morning that the kids have to ‘sign up’ for one on one time with their parents…how sad is that. i have 2 kids and i never feel like i spend enough time with them individually or even just the three of us…and that is just a 2:1 ratio!!

thankfully for them they have had all healthy and seemingly happy children, but the older she gets and the more kids she has, chances increase that something bad could happen to her or the child, and no one wants that. i just feel like its not safe for her anymore…idk maybe thats just me…

also, i think i am going to throw in 20 bucks to get that woman a new haircut…i mean come on, is she getting her fashion tips from episodes of big love ??

Belle
wrote on December 22 2008 @ 12:51 pm: [report]

Not only is that mother greatly risking her health by having so many children so late in life, but the family is also risking the mental health and well being of their children who aren’t afforded the individual attention each child needs to develop into a healthy adult. These children are also all homeschooled, meaning they will never learn to socialize with others their own age beyond the cloying, ever-present and growing family. It seems as if the parents are sacrficing their children’s education and future to put them to work raising the younger children.

bunnymatic
wrote on December 22 2008 @ 12:52 pm: [report]

i’m not amused by this. i just want to see where these children are going to be in their adolescence.

Yellow
wrote on December 22 2008 @ 01:09 pm: [report]

The Duggar family is like the classic drive by a car accident and have to look phenomenon. It’s such a creepy mess that I know I should stop paying attention, but I just love the pure insanity of it all.

Add A Dick To Me
wrote on December 22 2008 @ 01:09 pm: [report]

Is this not the most SELFISH display of BREEDING?  If you are so inclined to have a VERY LARGE family wouldn’t it be nice/appropriate/charitable/‘christian-like’ to think of children that were already up for adoption?

lalaland
wrote on December 22 2008 @ 03:30 pm: [report]

Their eldest son, 20 years old, is already married… He and his [now] wife couldn’t go to dinner without an escort.

Annika Harris
wrote on December 22 2008 @ 04:12 pm: [report]

@shannaco2 Another two words: Rhythm Method.

Isabela Laval
wrote on December 22 2008 @ 04:52 pm: [report]

I agree with all of you on this one.  Popping out all these children just seems wholly irresponsible.  It makes me think of the movie, Sophie’s choice.  Is it really possible for them to completely provide for all of their children equally (whether emotionally or monetarily)?  Sooner or later, one of their kids (or more!) will end up with the short end of the stick.  Too bad…

Lynn
wrote on December 22 2008 @ 04:54 pm: [report]

I have a medical condition that causes infertility in many women who have it (PCOS). I’m a member of an online forum for women who suffer from it. There are tons of women on there completely torn up and depressed because they can’t bear children. I can understand wanting a child with your own DNA. But if I really wanted a child so badly, and simply couldn’t get pregnant, you can bet I’d be first in line at the orphanage. But SO many women who are infertile just GIVE UP their dreams of becoming a mother simply because they cannot have their “own” child. It completely shocks me every single time I hear anyone say it. So I think this woman is nutty for not adopting some children if she wanted that many - but I think a lot of women are like that. It’s heartbreakingly sad.

flatline
wrote on December 22 2008 @ 05:35 pm: [report]

Is it wrong that whenever I see that woman I wonder if her vagina has turned into a water slide for babies by now? :/

ghotisgirl
wrote on December 22 2008 @ 05:58 pm: [report]

I bet he would be screwed if they split! Imagine the child support..holy crap!

This is ridiculous.I understand it’s for religious purposes and whatever,but come on,someone get snipped already!There is no good reason whatsoever for someone to pop out that many kids and plan on more.I bet the babies just fall out by now,ha.

Katia
wrote on December 22 2008 @ 06:21 pm: [report]

I read in an interview that early in their marriage they used the pill. When they decided to have children, she had a miscarriage on her first pregnancy. Because they are so religious, the believed that this was God’s punishment upon them for using birth control and it was then that they decided to become the vainglorious breeding machine you see today. I heard that she keeps the baby for 6 months and then passes it off to one of the older children to raise, because by that time she’s already pregnant again. I applaud the fact that they don’t live beyond their means (though putting a church in your attic to avoid property taxes is pretty sneaky), but there is something about this family that utterly nauseates me. Just looking at her with that pack of children and smug husband makes my nether regions hurt. I picture her uterus and vagina stretched out like an old sock.

Yellow
wrote on December 22 2008 @ 06:38 pm: [report]

@flatline—thanks for saying that. I’ve been thinking similar thoughts, but couldn’t bring myself to type them out earlier while at the office. Certain body parts should not flap in the wind, and I fear Mrs. Duggar may break that rule.

lisamclisa
wrote on December 23 2008 @ 08:48 am: [report]

Well, to each his own eh? You choose one way - they choose another, that’s what makes this world so interesting. They love kids, you don’t. So what? Why waste your time blogging about the fact that they do and calling even more attention to their way of life? Especially when they’re not on welfare wasting your tax dollars and having more kids. My husband made a joke about them the other day when we heard she had her zillionth child, he said they should make a new “Operation” game with Mrs. Duggar where you keep pulling out babies from her body (instead of bones). It cracked me up. But seriously, live and let live. There’s enough haters in this world already, why add more hate?

BrunetteBeauty
wrote on December 23 2008 @ 11:29 am: [report]

Its great that this woman wants to be a mother to so many but seriously…why keep adding to the population when there are so many parentless children already born?  I’m the youngest of 12 and I thought that was too many.  By the time I was in preschool, my oldest sister had already graduated from college and had children.  I actually have a niece who is 2 years OLDER than I am.  It also is hard with that many children to allow equal time.  Sign up time?  With your parents?!?! That is bad, teaching your children that they are not important enough to just talk to you when they need you most.  Irresponsible.

rowdygirl
wrote on December 23 2008 @ 02:40 pm: [report]

I have to agree with almost everyone… They should be ab;e to do what they want and have as many children as they want, but it seems to almost border on obsession. I’m starting to think he’s just a narcissist who loves looking at his reflection in all those little faces.  That may seem like a stretch, but who knows?? 

I wouldn’t want to see any restrictions on the number of children that people are allowed to have, and as long as taxpayers aren’t footing the bill, it’s really no one’s business.. but if he truly loved her, I would think he would be more considerate of the toll on her body. What would happen if she died from complications after having so many children? All those children with no mother would be a tragedy, although I’m sure he wouldn’t be long in finding another spouse to take her place.

tattooed_redhead
wrote on December 24 2008 @ 07:15 pm: [report]

I am the only child free by choice person in my circle, so it’s so nice to see that I’m not the only person in the world who finds this excessive overbreeding disturbing and not just a little creepy.
We all know what happens when dogs overbreed.

jazzyj
wrote on December 26 2008 @ 02:46 pm: [report]

OMG these people are disgusting! The Duggar Vagina: can you imagine what it must sound like when they have sex? I find it hard to believe that his sperm can actually be contained by her vag long enough to get pregnant. What a bunch of psychos. I feel sorry for those children.

talla
wrote on December 26 2008 @ 04:06 pm: [report]

I am infertile to, and I know this is just silly on my part, but I feel she and her “fruitful” womb are just slapping me in the face..

“look we have 18 and you can’t have 1 ha ha ha”

writergirl
wrote on December 26 2008 @ 04:16 pm: [report]

She’s been pregnant/breast feeding—consistently—for close to twenty years now, or there about, right?  Her hormones have never, ever, stabilized and returned to “normal”.  That can’t be good.  To my way of thinking, it simply sets the scene for when she snaps; most likely triggered by menopause.

I also wonder how she carries a baby to term.  Internally everything has to be stretched to beyond belief.  How can it HOLD a baby full term anymore?

And what about medical advice?  I know my OB’s tell you directly that they don’t want to see you pregnant until at least two years after the previous child.  I know women who have gotten “in trouble” with their doctors for conceiving too soon after the birth of a child (accidentally).  Haven’t her doctors said anything about the risks inherent in having pregnancies so close together?

Truly astonishing…I don’t understand what drives someone to have that many children. It’s not religion—I know several devout couples who call halt at significantly less than eighteen children.  I would place a heavy bet though on it being attention.

vanya
wrote on December 26 2008 @ 09:18 pm: [report]

I guess Michelle has taken the gold medal in Competitive Birthing (google that phrase and read the scary articles that come with it, lol!)

nicsonity3
wrote on December 27 2008 @ 01:17 pm: [report]

OK-who cares how many kids they have!?!  We are NOT paying for any of them.  They are not on public assistance/welfare, and their children all seem kind and well rounded.  I do find their strict religious beliefs a little bit um…interesting.  I cannot judge them at all, I commend her for having as many kids as she has, and still seeming like she has an ounce of sanity.  I wish my three kids were as well behaved as their children are.

Meg
wrote on December 27 2008 @ 03:07 pm: [report]

It is just irresponsible to the environment and the world, and disrespectful to people who can’t have a child. Some people would kill to have one healthy child, who they would do anything for. They would ensure their child grew up healthy and well-adjusted. And that doesn’t come through scheduled “mommy time” and being a group of kids instead of one loved and cared-for child.

They aren’t considering their kids’ futures at all. They get all the attention while the kids do all the work and have to be quiet and good in front of people. Their children are growing up in an unhealthy and totally bizarre environment, and they will never adjust.

The parents are so freakishly obsessed with a crazy notion of big family happiness, they don’t see that all this spectacle and the weirdness they are imposing on their children is going to have consequences. Ultimately, their kids will have to live with the results. Being labeled weird, being too different to live a healthy life. Being forced to believe all the nonsense these idiotic parents have bottle-fed them…

The Duggars and people like that are all-too common. Common sense apparently isn’t common enough. I wish these people would volunteer at charities or adopt unwanted children, instead of procreating endlessly without seeing how it destroys children. And Michelle’s body.

nicsonity3
wrote on December 27 2008 @ 05:25 pm: [report]

ok, so just because some people are infertile, the Duggars have no common sense?!?!  Think of it like the Duggars would—God BLESSED them with children, maybe there are reasons that God doesn’t bless everyone with children.

JJ
wrote on December 27 2008 @ 06:46 pm: [report]

I am deeply disappointed in the majority of people that have commented here.  I am single and do not have any children and I feel deeply offended when anybody thinks that it’s their place to comment on my chosen lifestyle.  The Duggars are not taking my tax dollars and the fact that they supplement their income with things like doing tv shows is an honest and responsible way to earn money.  These people are not deserving of catty comments.  If you disagree with how they live their lives and don’t want to see them on tv, then change the freakin’ channel.

Amelia
wrote on December 27 2008 @ 06:48 pm: [report]

@JJ I want them to stop being on TV AND to stop having kids. When their teenage daughter refers to each new baby as “like a having a real life doll!”, it’s disturbing.

Pencils
wrote on December 27 2008 @ 08:08 pm: [report]

They follow the “Quiverfull” evangelical movement, where they believe that babies are gifts from God and that people shouldn’t interfere with that, including all forms of birth control, even sterilization. Hey, it covers all bases, not only does it keep the women safely oppressed by forcing them to be pregnant and caring for children all the time, it spreads the movement by breeding as many little believers as possible. No, I don’t approve of it, why do you ask? 

Poor kids. They deserve better. They deserve parents, not breeders.

Dispatcher
wrote on December 27 2008 @ 09:26 pm: [report]

Okay, well i agree with JJ. and also, geezz people, grow up, life is not fair! yes i think it’s a shame that people can’t have children, BUT just because they can’t does that mean that NO ONE is allowed to have children?! if you think that, thats a load of bull. im 23 and im single and i do not have children but i do believe its their own right to do what they want and if you don’t like their lifestyle look away, i’m sure there are alot of you out there that the duggar’s disagree with do they expect you to change your lifestyle?! no! and i’m not sure who exactly said that the eldest son was married and couldn’t go out on a date with out a chaperon, that’s not true. they were engaged and they gave him his own choice to do what they want to and the son chose to have a chaperon so they could make sure that they didn’t do anything to spoil their wedding night. and is that so wrong?! People grip about children have children and then when they decide or heaven forbid their parents step in and decide for them (like they should) its suddenly wrong!? YOU CAN’T HAVE YOUR CAKE AND EAT IT TOO! I think its wonderful that they have that many children and are still doing well and none of the children are rude and disrespectful to others and to adults. you said its a bad thing for the children to behave and to learn responsibility? but if they were wild like most children are today you would be griping again about them being out of control…again…..can’t have your cake thing…. and its wrong for them to be on television and to write books and promote their book but its okay for “normal” people to do the same thing? okay and how wrong is it to have your own church in your attic? And they do get to socialize with other people, you people are pathetic! I believe a friend of mine is correct if you have this big of a problem with the way people are raising their children (which they are not living on welfare, they have honest jobs, they love their children, they are teaching their children how to be responsible, how to share the chores, how each child is just as important that they are spending equal time with all of them, the children when they get old enough, get jobs out in the community, and they are not a menace to society) then obviously you are jealous of them… and like JJ said….if you don’t want to watch them then turn the freaking channel!

Titi
wrote on December 28 2008 @ 09:55 pm: [report]

I think we should be more concerned with the fact that it’s crazy christian fundie families like the Duggars (and they are not alone!)that are such prolific breeders. I would wager that the majority of the Duggar children will also participate in procreation on an epic scale, as will their children…within a few generations they could easily populate a small country of bible-banging, creation myth-believing, fashion-deficient misogynists. I shudder to think of future generations, should they be comprised of such enormous amounts of people such as this.

Perhaps the film “Idiocracy” was not so far-fetched.

Dispatcher
wrote on December 29 2008 @ 12:20 am: [report]

Titi,

is it wrong for a family to want to pass on their Christian beliefs to their children? You pass on your beliefs onto your children and expect them to make the right decisions, and those right decisions are centered around they way YOU raised them. what makes your way right and their way wrong. Look i’m all for what they are doing, but also in the same sense, i’m not for how some other people live but we live in AMERICA, where we have the right to live how we want, as long as its legal, whats what makes this country so great, that we have the right to decide if we want no children, one child, or more, unlike china, who doesn’t have that right. We are allowed to raise our children on what WE believe what is right!Really i have to disagree with the fact that one large family can make a different on the “fashion” because seriously if that was true then wouldn’t it have already changed since there are so many “bible-banging” people who believe like they do?! And whats wrong with being modest and not showing off EVERYTHING you’ve got and looking like a hooker? Look i don’t dress like them, BUT if you look at the clothes today they are getting skimpier and trashier as the times go, i’m not saying we have to live like the women in the middle east or even as the duggars dress but griping about the way they chose to live? Are they forcing you to believe and think and dress the way they do?? NO, so then whats the big deal? Leave them alone.

onmywayout
wrote on December 29 2008 @ 04:12 am: [report]

disgustingly emotionally irresponsible parents.

Pugs
wrote on December 29 2008 @ 08:42 am: [report]

Maybe somebody has already asked the obvious and I missed it but WHY would you want 18 kids?  I have 2 and that’s plenty.  Most women reach a point where they know intuitively that they’re done with baby-making.  Maybe this woman’s intuition is broken?

Lynn
wrote on December 30 2008 @ 12:34 pm: [report]

nicsonity3 - are you for real? Do you seriously believe that God causes infertility to keep some people from having babies? That is incredibly insensitive and retarded.