I've never understood the fascination with the Duggars. They had 19 kids but it seems like they only really looked after the first four or five since the caregiver role was passed onto the kids while mommy and daddy spent time procreating. Can you imagine the free rein that Josh had during the times he was 'looking after' his sisters?
They are grifters par excellence. Actively pursuing free stuff from big companies because they couldn't have afforded any of the stuff they have without it while they preached a debt free life style. Even TLC paid for their home. They speak out of both sides of their mouths. Virtue signaling at its finest. It's not as if they were blindsided by have quintuplets where companies bombard shell shocked parents with diapers, cribs and clothing for the next 5 years.
Any other woman who had children one after another without any kind of income to support them would be called a welfare queen. These people have been celebrated for their irresponsible behavior. It's sickening.
I feel most sorry for Jana the oldest. She must suffer from Stockholm Syndrome to stick around in such a poisonous environment. As for Josh and all his 'J' named siblings, hopefully he can add a new one: Jailbird.
The " fascination" started when a producer or other exec. from TLC ( you know, The " Learning" Channel) saw a photo of Jim Bob and Michelle going to vote with their gaggle of very small children dressed in red white and blue trailing behind them.
The TV show produced a few high- ratings specials back when the family was still growing and poor, and eventually made them into celebrity millionaires. Along with the weirdo factor of all but one daughter who is married, uses birth control, and drinks socially with her husband ( Jill Duggar Dillard and her husband, Derek), they are now as well known for their hateful perversions of Biblical scriptures and meaning thereof. Jill and her husband and 2 sons have been ostracized from the Duggar family " fellowship" by and large because they dared break away in significant ways.
Anyone can read about Josh's removal from the original " 19 Kids and Counting", but that's only the tip of the iceberg.
As for why Jana has stayed, she's been in a serious courtship for months, but with Josh's alleged federal crimes against children, the young man may cut ties and run before he gets any more involved with her. Josiah's former girlfriend broke their engagement when one of Josh's scandals broke- I believe it was the Ashley Madison website Josh Duggar prostitute- hiring sting.
To summarize, it's a bunch of hypervigilant fundamental Christians who followed the teachings of a pedophile,
Bill Gothard, since the 1970's.
Google HIM for the basic history of the Duggar's beliefs. Although he was " cast out" for his abuse of young teen girls working for his " ministry" just a few years ago when he was in his 70's already, his stain has blighted the judgment and the ability of multiple generations of families in the USA to love HEALTHILY, to grow as individuals, to pursue education as a worthy goal, and to marry for true love, stay single or childless. To accept themselves and others as being gay or lesbian. To even be OK with 21st century women wearing slacks! The list of oppression is almost endless.
Bill ( William) Gothard was the head from which all the squirmy snakes sprouted and have multiplied.
I can also recommend the website www. RecoveringGrace.com as it is full of first person written accounts of young girls' grooming and inappropriate behavior by their " boss", William Gothard, as well as the final action taken against him around 7 years ago.
Gothard ruined many young impressionable adults' minds and lives, and Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar were caught up in his cult because an ill- informed doctor told them Michelle's birth control pills caused an early miscarriage. Instead of dealing with the grief, and getting the facts, they joined a cult which does not permit birth control for any reason, but DOES promote " blanket training" as punishment for toddlers.