It’s true. I watch 19 Kids and Counting. Why? I don’t know! Stop asking questions, this is our site! I don’t agree with their “the more kids the merrier” philosophy, the courting instead of dating, the intense right wing politic leanings, or the patriarchal rules BUT there’s something just so darn watchable about this show. For all the weirdness of having 19 children and how that’s pretty impossible for Michelle and Jim Bob to raise, nurture and provide emotional and mental support for each of them, they all seem very well adjusted. That’s not to say I can’t wait for the E! True Hollywood Story: Behind the Duggars in like 10 years.
Regardless of all this I follow along, watch the episodes and even follow some of them on social media. I started noticing this season as two of the girls, Jill and Jessa, were featured, along with their courtships, very prominently on the show that some of the older kids were kind of fading into the background, namely the oldest (and single) daughter: Jana Duggar. I suspect that after this season of Jill and Derrick wedding madness, next season will focus on Jessa and Ben’s wedding along with Jill’s new baby and new marriage while living in that HUGE “real estate investment property” (read: home bought by TLC for the Jill/Derrick show) of Jim Bob and Michelle’s.
Beside the fact these girls’ relationships are featured, the entire season arc of Jill and Derrick’s engagement and ultimately wedding on the finale, there’s all these little things that make me feel SO bad for Jana. It can’t be easy living in a patriarchal family where your parents control everything you see/do, continuing education isn’t emphasized and you’re expected to get married young and have children. Cruising through social media you’ll see why:
Pretty sure they photoshopped Jana into this family photo right between the couples. OH the humanity of being single in a big family.
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Hey look it’s a Jill and Derrick double date with Erin Bates who always seemed like she had a big ol fundie girl boner for the oldest Duggar (now married) Josh… eating at the local Outback Steakhouse/Chain with his sister. JEALOUS JOSH?!
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Triple date with all the coupled up Duggars… sorry Jana… hope you’re having fun babysitting all the kids or discussing “Living Whole Without A Better Half” or “Sacred Singleness” at your all single ladies bible study.
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Hey look at these gifts our BOYFRIENDS gave us!! Jealous?
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No bigs, just having milkshakes like dating girls dooooooo! Someday you’ll understand Jana. God willing.
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Don’t worry guys, I’m just over here taking care of all these kids you’re leaving me with. Thanks.
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Rumor has it (there are Duggar and other big multiple family gossip blogs. I can’t believe I told you guys that) that Jana has been busy at a First Responders school (apparently that’s a thing), working at a Camp in Michigian, as well as living in DC (with brother Josh and wife Anna?). Who knows what she’s doing but all I know if she can wield a knife, raise her parent’s kids, drive a bus and use a 1/2 inch curling iron almost as well as Truvy from Steel Magnolias, so she must be doing just fine. Man or no man.
I see all these pictures and watch the show and sometimes wish that instead of courting some doofy dude her dad Jim Bob picks for her, that Jana would move to a big city, attend a University, go through a lesbian phase and then start her own business aimed at women? Oh man, we can dream sad, pathetic, weird dreams.
