The Duggar family may have made a fortune on a reality TV show, but that does not mean they have welcomed television into their lives. In fact, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar were careful not to allow their 19 children to watch television programs and films deemed inappropriate. The couple’s children were only able to watch selected programs, including Little House on the Prairie.
Duggar children had limited access to television
Jim Bob and Michelle did not start their marriage with ultra-strict rules and regulations. Before most children were born, Michelle wore pants. The couple also watched TV and used contraceptive methods. After they became involved in an ultra-conservative Christian ministry, everything changed.
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In the couple’s book The Duggars: 20 and CountingMichelle explained that the couple threw away the television when they felt they were no longer connecting as a family because of it. When most of the Duggar children appeared, not only did the Duggars lack television, but the family’s access to the media was severely restricted. Duggar children could only watch a few approved films and television programs.
Jim Bob and Michelle allowed their children to watch some television programs, although
Even without a TV set, Duggar children could watch some media. What they were allowed to watch was heavily healed by Jim Bob and Michelle, however. Over the years, the Duggar family has repeatedly discussed their media rules, including how they keep their family away from inappropriate content online. They also suggested which programs they could watch while they were growing up.
So what programs did the Duggar children watch? Jim Bob stated that The Andy Griffith Show was on the list of approved family views. The program, which was about a small town in the 1930s, aired in the 1960s, when Jim Bob and Michelle were young. Little House on the Prairie and I love Lucy they were both on the approved preview list as well. Jinger Duggar referenced Little House on the Prairie in one of the first family TV specials. Joy-Anna and Jill Duggar mentioned watching I love Lucy, too. Allegedly, they watched all the programs on DVD.
Some of Duggar’s kids are doing things differently with their kids
Although Duggar’s children grew up watching very little on television, they may not be following in their parents’ footsteps with their children. Jessa Duggar allows her three children, Spurgeon, Henry and Ivy Seewald, to watch some cartoons. Jill and her husband, Derick Dillard, allow their children to watch some “family shows”, although the duo has not offered fans a list of series that they consider acceptable to their children.
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While several of the Duggars may allow their children to watch some TV shows, most seem to be following in the footsteps of Jim Bob and Michelle in relation to having a real TV set at home. Jill and Derick don’t have a television. They allow your children to stream content on a laptop. Jessa and her husband, Ben Seewald, also don’t seem to have a real TV. Joy-Anna and Austin Forsyth also don’t seem to have a TV at home.