Duggar fitness challenge

[mfluder]

May 23, 2013 11:20:53 GMT -5 catbus said:

I hadn't watched for a few years, but picked it up again this season. I'm totally invested in Josh and Jim Bob's weight loss/fitness challenge. 

Haven't yet watched the latest episode, but I'm constantly put off by the gendered elements to what the family does. It's how they are, so I let it go. I have a feeling at least one of the girls will end up living a very different life than how they're being brought up. Also, and this may get me flamed, I get a gay vibe from one of the boys (don't remember who). Yes, I know sexuality cannot be detected by another person, especially someone who doesn't even know the kid, but he really reminds me of the gay male friends I had in high school. 

And I assume it's already been discussed, but why are we supposed to care about "cousin Amy"? She annoys the hell out of me. 

Actually I was wondering if sexuality might be a reason they are sending the guy to the camp?

I actually wonder if any will rebel though. They keep them very isolated and out of society honestly.

[catbus]

May 23, 2013 11:24:50 GMT -5 mfluder said:

May 23, 2013 11:20:53 GMT -5 catbus said:

I hadn't watched for a few years, but picked it up again this season. I'm totally invested in Josh and Jim Bob's weight loss/fitness challenge. 

Haven't yet watched the latest episode, but I'm constantly put off by the gendered elements to what the family does. It's how they are, so I let it go. I have a feeling at least one of the girls will end up living a very different life than how they're being brought up. Also, and this may get me flamed, I get a gay vibe from one of the boys (don't remember who). Yes, I know sexuality cannot be detected by another person, especially someone who doesn't even know the kid, but he really reminds me of the gay male friends I had in high school. 

And I assume it's already been discussed, but why are we supposed to care about "cousin Amy"? She annoys the hell out of me. 

Actually I was wondering if sexuality might be a reason they are sending the guy to the camp?

I actually wonder if any will rebel though. They keep them very isolated and out of society honestly.

I can never remember which boy is which, but it looks like Joseph is the one who went to ALERT, and from Google images, I'm pretty sure that is the one I've wondered about... so I like your theory. 

[Deleted]

May 23, 2013 11:20:53 GMT -5 catbus said:

I ]And I assume it's already been discussed, but why are we supposed to care about "cousin Amy"? She annoys the hell out of me. 

!

I always thought cousin Amy was TLC's attempt at tying in the real world a bit. See we aren't so isolated, we hang out with cousin Amy who wears pants and dates boys. Plus, I think she was trying to pursue a music career and who isn't going to turn down free publicity.

[catbus]

May 23, 2013 11:31:12 GMT -5 @bonsoirlune said:

May 23, 2013 11:20:53 GMT -5 catbus said:

I ]And I assume it's already been discussed, but why are we supposed to care about "cousin Amy"? She annoys the hell out of me. 

!

I always thought cousin Amy was TLC's attempt at tying in the real world a bit. See we aren't so isolated, we hang out with cousin Amy who wears pants and dates boys. Plus, I think she was trying to pursue a music career and who isn't going to turn down free publicity.

That's why she bothers me; she seems to just be there to be on TV.

[msmerymac]

May 23, 2013 10:37:04 GMT -5 jjwritergirl said:

May 23, 2013 10:24:43 GMT -5 pugz said:

I don't think it's that they "can't" marry down, it's that the Duggars don't want them to. Jim Bob wants his daughters taken care of at the same level he has, which requires some means.

I thought we'd have a Duggar/Bates wedding by now but I kind of wonder about that now. The Bates encourage all their kids to go to college, something the Duggars do not do (they do fake college, CLEP classes essentially, the kids can't go to school alone, everything has to be done at home or out in the community in pairs).

The Bates seem ever so slightly more liberal, or at least more comfortable with the outside world.

 I agree with this. I like the Bates, but probably because they seem a little more grounded. Although, Mr. Bates would probably scare me. lol. I can't remember how old the Bates kids are, but it seemed like their sons weren't as old as the Duggar daughters. 


I just feel bad for the girls. I can't imagine growing up and not being encouraged to pursue my dreams, or even be allowed to dream. If someone wants to be a mom and housewife, that is totally awesome. But to have that thrust upon you sounds stifling and really upsetting. My parents were extremely conservative and emphasized the woman's place was at home with her children once they arrived, but we were still encouraged to go to college and be prepared to support ourselves if prince charming didn't waltz in. I knew I could be a doctor, or singer, or architect, or whatever I wanted! I wish their kids at least had the option to choose, even if they still chose the big family life. 

I agree. On the family's website, under the bios, for the question, "what do you want to be when you grow up?" most of the girls say, "wife and mother!" A few have acceptable professions listed, like midwife or nurse. And not to discount midwives or nurses, but if these girls were born into any other family, who knows if they would list something like OBGYN, heart surgeon or chemist instead?

[pixiedust]

Yeah, I've been wondering about the whole why-aren't-there-any-more-marriages-yet thing. It seems like for both the girls and the boys (but of course girls especially), a couple more would be married off.

I didn't realize the pairs in society thing. It sort of occurred to me with the girls, but I'm surprised about the boys too--is this an outside influences thing? It also seems a little odd to me that, given all the gendered stuff they clearly believe in, how having an older brother-sister pairing to do a 'male' activity (firefighter) is acceptable.

[pugz]

May 23, 2013 14:16:57 GMT -5 pixiedust said:

Yeah, I've been wondering about the whole why-aren't-there-any-more-marriages-yet thing. It seems like for both the girls and the boys (but of course girls especially), a couple more would be married off.

I didn't realize the pairs in society thing. It sort of occurred to me with the girls, but I'm surprised about the boys too--is this an outside influences thing? It also seems a little odd to me that, given all the gendered stuff they clearly believe in, how having an older brother-sister pairing to do a 'male' activity (firefighter) is acceptable.

I agree, but community service, police/firefighters/EMTs, the military, and conservative politics are all really important to the family so while it may be outside the gender norm, it is in line with their values for their kids to be involved.

[pugz]

statistically, aren't like 2 of their kids gay?

[SJ]

Oh I absolutely watch the show.

I was so annoyed by the gender reveal in church. I would be livid if my church/pastor wasted time during the service announcing the gender of a baby. Blech.

ETA: I had NO idea the ALERT Academy place was a punishment! Fascinating!

[bunch]

I was totally bummed that our new uverse cable package didn't include tlc. I might have to pay to watch last season on amazon. I love the Duggars. Their beliefs don't appeal to me, but they all seem happy enough and I like watching how they parent.

[pugz]

They made it sound like it was all Joseph's idea to go to ALERT but I definitely doubt that. They were all "none of our kids have ever been away from us for so long!" and "we don't typically send out kids out alone but...." so I think he must have done something or said something that got him in trouble

or maybe he confessed he was having difficulty with his "thought life" (in non evangelical terms = thinking about sex) and they sent him away. I know in the book I read they talked about how Jim Bob sat down with his sons regularly to discuss their "thought life"

[LoveTrains]

May 23, 2013 15:03:00 GMT -5 pugz said:

They made it sound like it was all Joseph's idea to go to ALERT but I definitely doubt that. They were all "none of our kids have ever been away from us for so long!" and "we don't typically send out kids out alone but...." so I think he must have done something or said something that got him in trouble

or maybe he confessed he was having difficulty with his "thought life" (in non evangelical terms = thinking about sex) and they sent him away. I know in the book I read they talked about how Jim Bob sat down with his sons regularly to discuss their "thought life"

I really picked up on the "we don't normally send them out alone." It is CRAZY to me that they have to do stuff in pairs. Is that to be sure that they don't "stray" from the teachings of their religion? It is also crazy to me that Josh is going to DC, but I guess since he is married with kids he is now allowed to be an adult and pray on his own life choices?

I also thought there was an episode a while back that seemed like a big marriage advertisement for the second son. I was also wondering if Josh moving to DC meant that a younger brother could take on the car lot?

[phunluvin82]

May 23, 2013 10:09:20 GMT -5 Marmee said:

Meh, maybe changing a pretend diaper is fun for the girls.  Plenty of girls rather not race around judging from watching kids at my girls school on the playground.  My DD1 is almost 9, my DD2 is 6 & I just had a baby...they fight over who gets to do chores for the baby. They love having a baby in the house so much & DD1 talks about how she can't wait to have her own. I loved being a big sister too. I still managed to grow up to be an Architect and enjoy having my own babies.   I guess I'm just not so quick to say what other people rather be doing.

Maybe it'd be fun for the boys too, why not let them have a crack at it?

It's not the diaper changing itself that is annoying...it's within the context of the Duggar family that it is annoying b/c they adhere so vehemently to stereotypical gender roles and don't ever allow their children to deviate from those. 

ETA: And the second bolded part is exactly the issue.  Being an architect would never be an option for Duggar girls.  They are actively encouraged not to educate themselves in professional fields.  Like jjwritergirl said, wanting to be a housewife and mother is awesome and is totally valid.  But if you *have to be* because you are never given any other choices...that's decidedly less awesome.

[miniroller]

What has struck me by some conservative Christians' choice to avoid outside influences, primarily through isolation, how are you spreading your beliefs when you don't associate w/ non-believers? This isolationist view really strikes a (wrong) chord with me, in that it seems there is such little trust (in one's self & certainly w/ one's children) that avoidance of others is the primary solution. I don't know; I've never believed in this method...

[Deleted]

May 23, 2013 15:41:17 GMT -5 miniroller said:

What has struck me by some conservative Christians' choice to avoid outside influences, primarily through isolation, how are you spreading your beliefs when you don't associate w/ non-believers? This isolationist view really strikes a (wrong) chord with me, in that it seems there is such little trust (in one's self & certainly w/ one's children) that avoidance of others is the primary solution. I don't know; I've never believed in this method...

Maybe they reconcile it with their views on family size and having as many children as possible to repopulate their own little fun is world? Lots of this makes no sense to me. I'd never survive, but I a skeptic by nature.

[Deleted]

Fun is = fundie

Autocorrect is not my friend.

[pugz]

May 23, 2013 15:41:17 GMT -5 miniroller said:

What has struck me by some conservative Christians' choice to avoid outside influences, primarily through isolation, how are you spreading your beliefs when you don't associate w/ non-believers? This isolationist view really strikes a (wrong) chord with me, in that it seems there is such little trust (in one's self & certainly w/ one's children) that avoidance of others is the primary solution. I don't know; I've never believed in this method...

The Duggars definitely take it to an extreme, which I find especially interesting because they live in the heart of the Bible belt.  I went to a conservative Christian college just down the road but I'm sure it would still be too liberal for them.  There is no lack of other conservative Christians down there, but because they subscribe to Gothard/ATI they have chosen to extremely limit their kids' exposure to outside influences.  

I think that they see their show as one way to share their beliefs without actually having to interact much with others.  They definitely do not trust themselves or their children to be near temptation so they shut it out.

Josh does seem to be more open to the outside world though. He has a twitter and FB account.  While the other kids still at home have smartphones, they are not connected to the internet as far as I know or if they are they have very strict parental controls.  

[pugz]

when Joseph left for ALERT Michelle mentioned how they typically send the kids out in pairs because of a verse about a strand of 2 not being easily broken. It's an accountability thing really, less room for temptation if brother or sister is right there with you. It is a practice you usually only see in extremely conservative/fundie groups.

The Bates' eldest daughter went to college to study music and while she lived at home at the time, she went to the college by herself. So they must be less conservative. However they are also in a very rural area so less influence from the outside world and fewer temptations I'm sure. I wish they'd bring the Bates show back, I loved watching it and comparing them to the Duggars I found the parents less annoying and the mom less robotic.

I do think Josh will pass the car lot down to another brother.

[joenali]

May 23, 2013 11:46:26 GMT -5 msmerymac said:

May 23, 2013 10:37:04 GMT -5 jjwritergirl said:

 I agree with this. I like the Bates, but probably because they seem a little more grounded. Although, Mr. Bates would probably scare me. lol. I can't remember how old the Bates kids are, but it seemed like their sons weren't as old as the Duggar daughters. 


I just feel bad for the girls. I can't imagine growing up and not being encouraged to pursue my dreams, or even be allowed to dream. If someone wants to be a mom and housewife, that is totally awesome. But to have that thrust upon you sounds stifling and really upsetting. My parents were extremely conservative and emphasized the woman's place was at home with her children once they arrived, but we were still encouraged to go to college and be prepared to support ourselves if prince charming didn't waltz in. I knew I could be a doctor, or singer, or architect, or whatever I wanted! I wish their kids at least had the option to choose, even if they still chose the big family life. 

I agree. On the family's website, under the bios, for the question, "what do you want to be when you grow up?" most of the girls say, "wife and mother!" A few have acceptable professions listed, like midwife or nurse. And not to discount midwives or nurses, but if these girls were born into any other family, who knows if they would list something like OBGYN, heart surgeon or chemist instead?

When I worked at a Jewish Orthodox school I taught girls. I asked them what they wanted to be when they grow up and they all said they want to be a wife and be a schlucha (the ultimate Jewish mom). It was so interesting. They did not take school very seriously at all because they knew what they wanted.

[mfluder]

But I want more updates y'all:). What else do you have?

I haven't watched this season.

I guess the obvious question, Michelle's not pregnant right?

[joenali]

May 23, 2013 18:44:54 GMT -5 mfluder said:

But I want more updates y'all:). What else do you have?

I haven't watched this season.

I guess the obvious question, Michelle's not pregnant right?

Anna is.

[pugz]

yeah Anna is pregnant with a boy, due a few weeks from now I believe

[mfluder]

Are Anna and Josh doing the whole one letter for each kid too?

[LoveTrains]

I wonder if Anna will give birth to this baby on the toilet, while filming it for TV.

[lilibet]

May 23, 2013 15:13:06 GMT -5 LoveTrains said:

May 23, 2013 15:03:00 GMT -5 pugz said:

They made it sound like it was all Joseph's idea to go to ALERT but I definitely doubt that. They were all "none of our kids have ever been away from us for so long!" and "we don't typically send out kids out alone but...." so I think he must have done something or said something that got him in trouble

or maybe he confessed he was having difficulty with his "thought life" (in non evangelical terms = thinking about sex) and they sent him away. I know in the book I read they talked about how Jim Bob sat down with his sons regularly to discuss their "thought life"

I really picked up on the "we don't normally send them out alone." It is CRAZY to me that they have to do stuff in pairs. Is that to be sure that they don't "stray" from the teachings of their religion? It is also crazy to me that Josh is going to DC, but I guess since he is married with kids he is now allowed to be an adult and pray on his own life choices?

I also thought there was an episode a while back that seemed like a big marriage advertisement for the second son. I was also wondering if Josh moving to DC meant that a younger brother could take on the car lot?

Jim Bob likes politics (he was a state rep or something a long time ago, right? and ran for something else I think) so maybe he either wants to live some sort of his political dream through Josh or maybe thinks that Josh could be some sort of foot in the door for the family (aka Jim Bob). Just my thought.

I haven't watched in a long time but I always liked the older girls. I think if anyone has a chance to rebel it is the mid-younger girls - the ones who were really little when they started doing the specials (I can't remember their names but the ones before the last 2 little ones). They seem spunky.

[pugz]

May 23, 2013 19:21:49 GMT -5 mfluder said:

Are Anna and Josh doing the whole one letter for each kid too?

they have not said definitively if they are, but if this next one is an M name I think we can assume they are.

[mfluder]

May 23, 2013 20:56:28 GMT -5 pugz said:

May 23, 2013 19:21:49 GMT -5 mfluder said:

Are Anna and Josh doing the whole one letter for each kid too?

they have not said definitively if they are, but if this next one is an M name I think we can assume they are.

Okay, I couldn't even remember if these last two were.

I am in need of a good Duggar marathon to catch up.

[pugz]

McKenzie and Michael, next one is a boy so maybe Mitchell, Marshall, Mason, Mark, Moses, lol

[Willis Jackson]

May 23, 2013 15:01:27 GMT -5 bunch said:

I was totally bummed that our new uverse cable package didn't include tlc. I might have to pay to watch last season on amazon. I love the Duggars. Their beliefs don't appeal to me, but they all seem happy enough and I like watching how they parent.

I like how, even though these people are super strict parents, the toddlers are still totally wild and bonkers. It makes me feel better about my parenting.

[Willis Jackson]

I feel bad for Joy-Anna, stuck in the middle of all those boys.