Growing Up Duggar: It’s All about Relationships
Jana, Jill, Jessa,
& Jinger Duggar
Category: Parenting
& Families; Faith
Synopsis: The
oldest four Duggar girls, stars of the reality TV show “19 Kids and Counting,”
discuss a young woman’s most important relationships, with a focus on faith and
family.
Date finished: 20
March 2014
Rating: ****
Comments:
It seems disrespectful to start off a book review with the
words “this wasn’t as bad as I thought it might be,” but that might be my most
honest reaction. Don’t get me wrong, I adore the Duggars, and while I wouldn’t
make some of their lifestyle choices, I respect them. I’ve read both of the
books by JimBob and Michelle, and this one, written by their oldest four
daughters, reads much the same way. The prose is straightforward, easy to
understand, non-judgmental, and friendly.
The book deals with a young woman’s relationships with
herself, parents, siblings, friends, guys, culture, country, and world (a
chapter for each). They talk about their family and personal convictions
regarding modesty, dating, entertainment, and serving others. They touch on
politics, personal study and careers, the importance of family, and their role
in helping others. Everything is filtered through a faith-based lens, because that
is how they structure their lives.
I speculate that the girls had some help in writing this
book. It sounds very much like the writing in the previous Duggar family books
and very little like what the girls sound like when they’re being interviewed
on their reality show. That didn’t really bother me. They gave examples for the
principles they shared, and when they got preachy, it was adorably so. Much of
the book was a rehash of their parents parenting style, but these are young
women, and they are naïve to much more than what they experience at home and on
their mission trips. You take it all with a grain of salt.
The Duggar family has followers and haters, and a whole lot
of people just shake their heads and wonder how they can live that way. A lot
of folks put them up as a poster family for all conservatives. A lot of folks
throw around the phrases “brainwashed” and “judgmental.” Personally, I think
you’ll find in this family what you look for. If you look for a strong, loving,
principled family, you’ll see it. If you look for a close-minded, judgmental,
fanatical family, you’ll see that. Personally, I find the family inspiring.
Though I interpret scripture differently from them, our core values are the
same. I appreciate what they do to bring comfort to others throughout the
world.
Would you recommend
this to a friend?
Yes. This would be perfect for a Christian girl from early
teens through young adulthood.
You might also enjoy:
The Duggars: 20 and Counting!A Love that Multiplies
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