Friday, October 14, 2005

1 mother, 16 children

Yes, it's true: "Michelle Duggar just delivered her 16th child, and she's already thinking about doing it again." More from CNN:

Jim Bob Duggar, 40, said he and Michelle, 39, want more children.

"We both just love children and we consider each a blessing from the Lord. I have asked Michelle if she wants more and she said yes, if the Lord wants to give us some she will accept them," he said in a telephone interview...

Michelle Duggar, 39, had her first child at age 21, four years after the couple married.

Their children include two sets of twins, and each child has a name beginning with the letter "J": Joshua, 17; John David, 15; Janna, 15; Jill, 14; Jessa, 12; Jinger, 11; Joseph, 10; Josiah, 9; Joy-Anna, 8; Jeremiah, 6; Jedidiah, 6; Jason, 5; James, 4; Justin, 2; Jackson Levi, 1; and now Johannah.

How nice of "the Lord," but let me be more blunt: This has nothing to do with God or a god or the gods. Rather, it has everything to do with Jim and Michelle fornicating without birth control while maintaining a child-like belief in divine omnipotence.

Faith is no excuse for ignorance and irresponsibility.

Someone needs to tell them to stop. Now.

(And what kind of a name is "Jinger"? And "Joy-Anna"? And "Jessa"? One wonders what "the Lord" has in store for these kids. The whole lot of 'em.)

posted by Michael J.W. Stickings at 12:19 AM

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44 Comments:

  • One wonders why they don't just call their last child "Jesus" and get it all over with...

    By Blogger Valannin, at 12:46 AM  

  • It's the end of the gene pool. Sometimes I think we are in the middle of a surrealist play--except this is reality! Omigod!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 11:20 AM  

  • As long as they're not eating up taxpayer money with ADC...

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 7:35 AM  

  • "God Does Not Want 16 Kids - Arkansas mom gives birth to a whole freakin' baseball team. How deeply should you cringe?"
    By Mark Morford, SF Gate Columnist, Wednesday, October 19, 2005
    http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/gate/archive/2005/10/19/notes101905.DTL

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 2:42 AM  

  • At least, they are not living on welfare. When I go to the grocery store, the majority of people in there are using foodstamps. It really, Pisses me off to see so many people depending on our government for a handout. My thoughts are that as long as a person can FINANACALLY support their own family who cares how many children they have. Remember, there are certain races that mate like rabbits while depending on the government to support them and their chil'ren /ninos. GOD Bless that family in Arkansas.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 7:35 PM  

  • Yes, God bless them. So they're using their constitutional right to use their reproductive systems as they wish. So what? And if they interpret God's Word that way, again, so what? They're not calling us two-children or three-children families heathens or anything. They're not being rude or hateful or unreasoning, they just bought their new 7,000 sq. foot house DEBT-FREE, they obviously can support themselves, and everything they do saves money (for example, all the girls wear skirts of the same color so they can wash their clothing more easily). And another thing: they're homeschooled, so they're still paying for public schoolers to be taught with their tax money while they themselves do not take advantage of a free hand-out by the gov't.
    And, lest we forget, in the US today, there is a birth rate of 1.8 kids per couple. There needs to be at least 2.4 for the country NOT to shrink, much less grow.
    Lastly, how many of these kids will grow up to be doctors, work in the Peace Corps., etc.? Just leave them alone, is what I say.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 2:56 PM  

  • I'm the eldest of 7 (#8 is due in July) ranging from 20 to 6; we're all biological, there are no mulitple births. My siblings are my best friends and it will NEVER change! God has given us to my parents and I am thankful for that. I wouldn't change anything for the world.
    I am totally in favor of large and small families. There's nothing wrong with small families--I know a lot of them and don't look down on anyone with only a couple/few. Please don't be so hateful toward us big families...what have we ever done to you? As for fornication: how do you figure??? Fornication is sex outside of marriage, and last time I checked, Mr. and Mrs. Duggar were married. That's not fornication. There is no sin in having as many kids as they want. If they can provide for them, what's the harm? There is none. Oh yeah, one last thing: how do you know God doesn't want them to have 16 kids? He obviously gave them 16 and I wouldn't recommend arguing with God, or putting words in His mouth that He didn't say!
    Thank you to those who stood up for large families! We really appreciate it.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 4:54 PM  

  • I just got done watching the show of them moving in their new home I think it was great I wish I had her patients love and understanding with each and everyone of her children. I have five and I don't know how she does it well god bless them and everything about them. My children and I love watching about them.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 9:47 PM  

  • I think that if they can support these kids then great. But we also have to take in consideration that there are people starving to death in other countries. Don't get me wrong, I don't look down on her at all, it’s just that I myself am only going to have 3 or 4 at the most. And like that one person said, all these children could grow to be doctors or other things, which we need more of. I also feel that the way she is raising them is awesome! These kids are going to grow to make the world a better place. The last thing I would like to say is, if you cant support that many children, just don't have them, if you can, all the power to you!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 11:31 PM  

  • I'm a strong believer in being financially responsible for your actions. On one hand I understand it is their God given right to have as many children as they want. But on the other hand I find it selfish that each child must grow up so quickly in order to "help" out with the other kids. It's not their fault that their parents decided this life. Aside from that, I can't imagine what kind of toll this has taken on her body. It would appear that sex is "just for reproducing". If you blow up a balloon & deflate it 16 times it's not very elastic. I suppose that explains the "modest" clothing. Just because you're christian doesn't mean you have to dress like Little house on the prairie. It is not a sin to wear jeans, or a tshirt. Nor is it a sin to cut your hair our update your hairstyle. I think the message they send is "let God do all your thinking for you" just be an innocent passenger in this thing called life.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 12:41 AM  

  • personally, if everyone "let God do their thinking" for them, the world would be a lot better place to live in.

    They are taking care of their own, don't owe anybody anything, their children are happy and seem to be well adjusted. Those two parents are doing the right thing...wish more parents would take an active role in the lives of their children.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 1:08 AM  

  • I really am stunned by how rude you (the author of this blog) can be to this family. It's not like they're being superfichial idiots like America is becoming? At least their children aren't sex maniacs like the rest of our nation's teenagers? I see nothing wrong in how she's raising her children. Ever think of the family as not wasting our nations money like the drugdealers in the cities? It's funny how liberals bash conservative-minded people. It's her own right and body to raise that many kids. I find it to be very sad that not many people can do that anymore because we are all too egocentric to be concerned with anything else. The Duggar Family has awesome values. I wish that this nation would open up to her way of raising her children and family instead of being so effing concerned with looking fabulous. Honestly, who cares? I'd like to see if you could birth that many children and live to tell the tale. Oh wait, that's right, you can't.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 11:22 PM  

  • Hello there,
    Lets see...Its been a while and I started to study social psychology and the effect in society especially in North America. Here are my conclusion: this country is in regression since first it went apart from how the traditional fathers did things in the first place. America was made by hard worker, resourceful, God fearing individuals. So then come the end of the 20th century. What happen? People started to beleive more in what they are despite the consequence of others. So came in the 60s the advent of the birth control pills. Today it as become part of the sexual life of women in the US especially Caucasians that take them like candies. So since the 60s, the infrastructure started to slowly collapse. No real novelties were really created and the ideal life was a family of 2 and both man and woman work for money. But lets see today...Money have mislead people since they are not better off. Even with lots of education many don't see how to make both end meet. Americans don't see that the money system is made of deceiptful individuals that control it? So people cannot have families if they have to ask the money system. Anyway when you work people that hires you try to pay the less as possible. So that is for this case. But how come peopel started to change and started to rebute things that made them survive throughout centuries? Simple, people in the USA started from the 1960s to be more and more individualists. When you read the arguing statement at the beginning of this blog, can you see that it is tinted with individualism? It is really the beginning of the end when people are like this. I encourage very much the family of 16 children since it really proves the generosity of the parents. They are not individualists like most in the USA both really more altruistic. Because of this, there will be continuity for them for the next genrations. Not guys like the one that started this discussion group. Is that an ironic fact that today the population of singles is higher than ever before? People who wants to get instructed with cultures of the world can have a look at this website. You will understand the typical behavior of people in this country
    www.geert-hofstede.com
    so HURRAY for this family!!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 5:43 PM  

  • I think it's wonderful that this couple can have so many children and live debt-free and be able to provide for all of their children. However, there are many other factors to take into consideration. For example, the Mrs. decided to homeschool her children, which I think would be completely fine. But the main problem is this: how can she expect to challenge all of the children when they range in ages 1 to 17, and they are all learning the same material at the same time? She cannot possibly provide the best of education to her children when teaching all of them the same material at the same time, having such a wide range of ages. I also think that although she chose to have so many children, the older ones are the ones left with the burden of caring for their younger siblings. They didn't choose to be born into such a huge family...why should they have to grow up sooner than they have to by doing their mother's responsibilities while she is unable to help out a lot because she is, once again, pregnant?

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 12:11 AM  

  • I don't get all this complaining about the older kids having to "grow up sooner than they should have to." In the old days we used to call that process, "maturing." Now we sit around and wonder why the teenagers we never made take care of anything on their own now sit around at the age of 30, living at home and unable to launder their own socks. These kids will be twice as able to handle life when they leave the nest, if only because they were expected to be mature. I have many friends (one the eldest of 13) where this turned out to be the case.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 3:46 PM  

  • If they were anything but white, you KNOW child services would step in. Just more white hypocrisy...

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 11:11 PM  

  • I just watched their show...this family is beautiful. This is their life, their opinion, their faith.This has to do with their family, and they seem pretty content and organized with most of the things.No one else should have an opinion about THEIR family or the way they want to live, unless they are doing something is obviously hurtful to themselves their kids or others.Having 16 beautiful, helpful, cooperative, and unselfish children, and having the power to maintain everything gives the children a better life!This family puts a definite smile on my face!!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 1:20 PM  

  • Giving God the credit (or blame as some of us might think) is both irresponsible and delusional. If they are so high on the Christian ladder, then why not trust God for their sex drive? Perhaps read a book, take care of the kids they already have, or maybe even adopt another kid who has no home rather than screw mindlessly like animals. These people are not using common sense and I do believe that God expects people to use that occasionally. They are an embarrassment to the state of Arkansas. They deserve every shred of negative publicity that they get.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 5:17 PM  

  • I think you only have to see a showing of Nanny 911 and then switch to see how this family interacts and there isn't any question of who's doing things right. They are self-sufficient in a marvelous way and don't ask anything from the taxpayers. What on earth is the problem with the negative blogs?

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 3:09 PM  

  • Hi! I have watched both shows of the Dugger family and am absolutely fascinated with them all. First of all I love the fact that their names start with "J" as my 4 children do too and that they are unusual. This family is an example to us all, in their marriage and as parents, they are supurb role models. With regards to the children, yes they are different and thats a good thing, who wants their children to be on drugs and sexually active at a youg age anyway. They look happy, secure,responsible and are thriving in this very well organized household. Michelle has made me think twice about my role as a mother and what I should and should'nt be doing. I live in the other side of the world in Australia and Michelle if you are reading this, keep up the good work and know that from one mum to another you are doing a fantastic job, I admire you and will use you as an example in my life. Good luck and keep them comming.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 10:52 PM  

  • Anyone that has something negative to say about this family that is God loving, self supporting and raising loving, mature, unselfish children should really take a good hard look in the mirror. Then take a look around your neighborhood, your family and your home...and fix what's wrong there. Leave these people to live the wonderful life they've been given.

    For the people crude enough to wonder what 16 births do to a body...a better question is what does 20 years of birth control pills, patchs, shots, whatever DO to a body

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 4:57 PM  

  • I find the Duggers disturbing. I wonder, do the children have any friends? Do they participate in extracurricular activities besides the religious? Are they allowed their own opinions which may be different from their parents? It seems these children have no connection to the outside world; it is only parents and siblings.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 1:45 PM  

  • I hope the Duggars aren't reading this! Most of the comments are downright hateful, although there are some very nice gems. jim & Michelle made their choice to live this life and not only that, are doing it responsibly and well. More of us should follow that example. How many of us are debt-free, kids or not? They chose to put the focus of their lives on their family--this is what used to be the case before someone decided 18 was old enough for kids to be booted out of the house...Everyone wonders if these children have social connections outside the family, and I would remind all that programs are edited for time and content. Should you base all these opinions on 2-3 TV shows? I think that Jim & Michelle will be well-cared for in their old age. How many adults can expect the same from their children? And hey, Michael, if you're a liberal and for choice, stop being such a hypocrite.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 12:44 PM  

  • I actually HOPE the Duggar's are reading this thread, although it probably won't change their small minds about their distorted beliefs about God, raising children, OR about a sex drive.

    It is insulting to anyone who has a brain to connect God to their mindless breeding. God gives you a mind to USE. They are so quick to give God the credit or blame on the number of kids they have, but so UNWILLING to give him some power over their sex drives. Am I the only one who seems to see that huge elephant in their living room?????

    If you continue to have unprotected sex, you are more than likely going to spout out another mouth to feed and care for..No, wait, they are going to let their OLDER kids be the caretakers of the younger ones. I can't think of anything more selfish and unfair to their existing kids. I actually feel sorry for the kids and loath these stupid parents who can't keep their legs together.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 2:37 PM  

  • I think that you are a truly awful person for posting such a mean article. Good for them for having 16 children. I have 14 myself. 7 girls and 7 boys. No multiples. I love the excitement and the joy that they give me. About the older kids taking care of the younger kids, my oldest find it fun to watch their younger siblings, because we usually sit everyone down with a movie or something and one by one we get the work done.
    You really shouldn't judge people until you know the whole story.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 4:19 PM  

  • Totally disgusted. Anytime you have that MANY children in one home with parents who see no reason to step into the outside world, you've gotta know that something awfully strange is going on between those four walls. If you don't believe me, just wait for the Lifetime Movie Network to broadcast the stories of the kids 14 years later.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 2:06 PM  

  • I think the comments about the family are just hateful. All the kids have their own personal interests and I can honestly say I think what Michelle and Jim bob are doing is great. I come from a large family of 14 children myself Ranging in age from 23 to 5 i'm the eldest. My parents raised us in a good christian way and home-schooled us too. We all have many friends and interests. You learn to deal with being treated as one whole unit by people but your own family and friends see you as individual. I bet all those haters out there couldn't even name all the kids without looking it up. You all see them as one unit so obivously you wouldn't think they had their own interests because you don't know them.As the bible says : Leviticus 19:14-16 " 'Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly." SO do not judge Jim bob Michelle johanna joseph jinger john-david jessa james jedidiah justin jill joshua jackson joy-anna jana jason jeremiah josiah because ou can not possible judge them fairly.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 7:53 PM  

  • I highly doubt any one of those kids has an opinon or interest that is not directly or indirectly dictated by their parents. What do you think would happen if Joseph, John-David or whomever put down the violin and said "Mom I want to play drums" or the electric guitar or wanted to join a little leage team. And look at those clothes and haircuts. They look like clones. One of these days one of those kids is going to snap.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 1:41 PM  

  • Can anyone not see that they love children it isn't the fact that they like doing it it is the fact they love there children. Go back to when you were a little child and loved to hang out with little children or loved being around babies.This is what they are showing and if they can raise 16 children without asking to government for help all the power to them. And if all of you are worried about your tax money going to them well get your heads out of your butts and think. Our tax money goes to homeless people who are to lazy to go get jobs when in dayton if they want to be homeless they have to have a paper saying that they are homeless. It isn't that hard to go get a job. I already have 5 and that is just umpring and baby sitting and im only 14 go figure baby stitting.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 4:47 PM  

  • Wow!! I am shocked at how many people think that this couples choice about reproduction is any of their business. I would have expected the comments to be more about concern for how they manage as a family. Instead I see such hateful comments about 2 people who are so obviously in love and who seem to cherish each one of their children. I give them all the credit in the world for having the patience and strength to have even more than 1 child as I believe parenting is one of the toughest jobs out there. God bless them.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 6:10 PM  

  • Ive got 7 children ranging from 21 down to 12 months and another due in Aug, which i suspect maybe twins.
    My husband has a good job, and i've taken the decision to stay at home whilst the children still need me. My eldest has two degrees in IT, and my eldest girl has a full time job and a house of her own and they are all kind, considerate and defend each other till the end. I have never expected the older ones to tend to the little ones, but they do it anyway, and the eldest lad is particulary fond of his baby sister.
    This family has been an inspiration to me, i am not in any way religious, so that apart, i marvel at their organisation skills and time management and infact have adopted many of their methods in coping with a large family. I dont homeschool, and we do watch tons of tv so we probably couldnt be more different but these are their choices and who are we to judge?
    I know of families in the UK who have children to get points, another baby another point, so many points you get a council house, they can then live on social security and recieve free school meals and prescriptions ect. The older children are then instructed to go out and rob what they can to sell whilst the parents sit at home with cans of beer in front of the tv yelling at the little ones to be quiet. These are the families you should be attacking not one that is loving, caring and debt free!!!!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 9:46 AM  

  • How sad to be Michael J. W. Stickings.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 12:01 AM  

  • Um...Fornication is sex BEFORE marriage...

    By Blogger Mrs. Smythe, at 10:39 PM  

  • Personally, I would not choose to have 16 children but...they are so happy, so healthy and completely debt free, therefore who are they a burden on? All the power to them!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 12:45 PM  

  • Helene, if you have kids grown and married, then STOP already with spouting out more kids. You want to have grandkids older than your own kids? How embarrassing!

    Wake up and realize that breeding mindlessly doesn't make anyone think you are wonderful. It just makes people believe you are just as cracked as the Duggar family. I pity your kids as well.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 5:03 PM  

  • I just wonder why the whole world seems to have a right to tell this family what to do! If they want 16 children and they can bring them up, then what´s the problem? Don´t we prefer a loving mum of 16 to a drug-addict 19-year-old who slaps and beats her child and sells it for more drugs? I´ve been working with streetkids, they´ve been tossed away just like that, and all of them are wonderful young men and ladies who from the start had deserved to be loved! Now we have a mother who decided for herself to have children, to love them, and not to toss them away. How many is her business! Who are we to judge that her family is or is not in the position to have kids? Are all the 16-year-olds in the position to have kids?
    Unfortunately I don´t know how the retirement system works in the States, but otherwise I would have told you to better be quiet as these children will be paying for your pension one day!
    Just live and let live, you people!

    Karin from Austria

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 4:29 AM  

  • that's the best thing in the world to be a mother thanks michelle for leading the way of God's plan kiss the kids for me and may God continue to bless all of you

    By Blogger Unknown, at 4:00 PM  

  • More power to them, as long as they can love, support and raise, well adjusted, productive, and caring memebers of society, I say "more power to them".

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 2:06 AM  

  • All I want to know is how on earth they have that many children that are well-behaved and are debt free? My husband and I have one child and are in debt up to our eyeballs. Obviously, chasing after what America "does and thinks" isn't the smartest thing to do. We definitely have to do something different. I don't particularly want that many children - but children are such a beautiful blessing, every single one of them regardless of who their born to. I'm inspired to be a better parent and I wish other's were to. We've seen it over and over what a teenager turns out to be when their parents don't give a crap about disciplining them or teaching them to respect themselves and others.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 10:17 PM  

  • WhenI am an adult i want that many kids....................and NO, THAT IS NOT WHITE HYPRICSY YOU NIGGER OR WHATEVA U R!!!!!!WHITE R DISCIMINATED AGAIN NIGGER NIGGER NIGGER NIGGER.........OR BEANERBEANER BEANRER OR WETBACK WETABAK [BY THE WAY, I'M ASIAN SO DON'T BE ALL CALLIN'ME A RACEIST U NIGGAS!!!!!!!!!!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 8:35 PM  

  • I just finished watching the special on the family moving into their new home. I was struck by many things, the first of which was how respectful and well disciplined ALL of the children were. I was also struck by the fact that the parents went out of their way to include their children in the building of the new home and the decisions regarding the decor. They treat their children with respect, and are rewarded with respect in return. The parents don't seem stressed, and the children aren't a bunch of screaming, spoiled banshees. What's wrong with this picture? Not one thing that I can see.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 11:08 PM  

  • All I can say is WOW. Perhaps the people who have trouble with the Duggars have come from a dysfunctional family, lacking love and affection. I believe that deep down inside you long for what the Duggars have and what you did not get. I marvel the fact that you feel a married couple is fornicating and that a couple who has children every 2 years are sex crazed. That could quite possibly be interpreted as having sex every 2 years. That doesn't sound like crazy sex to me. Of course that notion if foolish, which is why I said it to mimic you. But you are hurting and your spiteful manner shows it. I wonder what your family tree is like. Perhaps your tree has branches that are dry and brittled. Maybe your leaves have withered and you do not blossom in your season. Oh well, its okay, we understand. Jealousy is awful and it robs the best of us.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 6:39 PM  

  • the author is a fucking idiot and so are most of the posters here...

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 12:36 AM  

  • セフレセフレセフレセフレセフレセフレセフレセフレセフレセフレセフレセフレセフレセフレセフレセフレセフレセフレセフレセフレセフレ

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 8:48 PM  

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