Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar raised their kids with very religious rules. And when it comes to dating, the two are serious about limiting their kids’ physical contact with partners. The Duggars are not allowed to date; they can only court, and they must have a chaperone present on every date up until their wedding. But some critics of the show are certain that the kids didn’t always follow the rules – and that some couples were more likely culprits than others.
Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar seriously sheltered their children growing up
These days, several of the Duggar children have married andstarted families of their own. But the process of finding a life partner wasn’tthe same as it is for most people. Michelle and Jim Bob greatly sheltered theirkids growing up and didn’t allow them to experience most things American kidsdo.
The parents banned television from their household and never let their kids believe in Santa. They also didn’t allow any dancing or mainstream music, since it could promote promiscuity. Plus, the kids were all homeschooled, so they only interacted with members of their church or those who their parents deemed acceptable friends.
The kids are only allowed to court — and there are plenty of rules
The Duggar kids also were not allowed to date; they couldonly enter into courtships, which were essentially relationships with theintention of marrying. The kids would “court” people for several months whilegetting to know the person and learning their values. If they felt the person’svalues and commitment to God matched up with their own, they would get engaged.
There was absolutely no physical intimacy allowed in courtships. The Duggars could only side-hug their partners; they could not kiss or hug them (from the front) while courting — and there was definitely no sexual contact allowed. All of the kids remained virgins until they wed and shared their first kiss with their new husband or wife on their wedding day.
Some critics are certain there were a few rule breakers
Though the Duggars seemed to obey all of the rules on camera, some critics aren’t convinced that they’re all as innocent as they seem. Jessa Duggar actually admitted in her book “Growing Up Duggar” that she broke the rules while courting Ben Seewald. She noted that the two would have secret phone calls every night (phone calls were supposed to be chaperoned at all times). And critics are certain that other kids have done the same.
“Out of 19 children, surely at least one won’t ‘stay pure’until marriage,” one user wrote in a Redditthread. “Austin seemed so nervous knowing cameras were there when Joydidn’t. When she went in for the full hug, I was convinced they’d done morethan side hug already,” someone else speculated. “… If Jeremy dated normallybefore dating Jinger [I don’t know] how he’d be okay with the Duggar rules,”another user added.
Fans speculated that at least one or two couples, primarilyJoy Duggar and Austin Forsyth, had broken the courtship rules. Others alsosuggested the younger kids could easily be paid off with “$5 to buy an icecream” (while chaperoning) to give the kids some alone time. It’s important tonote that Jessa has been the only one to ever actually come forward and say shebroke the rules; otherwise, the other couples are simply speculation.
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