17 Kids and Counting

17 Kids and Counting is a popular TLC/Discovery Channel reality show that gives viewers a peek into what life is like with the Duggar Family, which includes - you guessed it - 17 kids with more on the way. Viewers see how the family saves money, how the household runs, and how the family’s religious faith shapes the children’s upbringing.

Even people who aren’t avid 17 Kids and Counting viewers might already be familiar with the story of the Duggar Family. They are regular guests on national morning news shows, talk shows and pop culture magazines. Further, TLC and The Discovery Channel have been following the family since way back when there were “only” 14 kids in the roost.

Here’s a rundown of the Duggar Family members (kids are listed in order of age):

• Jim Bob – Dad
• Michelle – Mom
• Joshua James
• Jana Marie
• John-David
• Jill Michelle
• Jessa Lauren
• Jinger Nicole
• Joseph Garrett
• Josiah Matthew
• Joy-Anna
• Jeremiah Robert
• Jedidiah Robert
• Jason Michael
• James Andrew
• Justin Samuel
• Jackson Levi
• Johannah Faith
• Jennifer Daniell

Baby number 18 for the family is due in January, 2009. The family will continue with the “J” motif and plan to name the baby Jowanna Mahn if it is a girl as expected.

Jim Bob and Michelle were high school sweethearts. Jim Bob is a real estate investor, although many viewers of 17 Kids and Counting wonder how the business sustains a family of this size. The Duggars never reveal exactly where all of their money comes from, but it is known that many companies have donated items to family in the wake of their TV appearances and others believe that money is donated to them from their church. Some critics of the show want to know if the family receive financial assistance from the government, but that remains an unanswered question. The house that the family lives in was constructed with the help of the TLC network, which filmed the building of the home.

The Duggars live in Tontitown, Arkansas.

The obvious questions many viewers of 17 Kids and Counting have is this: Why have so many kids? The answer to that question is one of the predominant themes of the show, which is the Duggar Family's religious faith.

Jim Bob and Michelle are conservative Christians, and they believe that God’s will determines how many children they have. They state that they believe each child is a blessing and that having this many kids is God’s plan for them.

Jim Bob and Michelle raise their children in accordance with strict Christian values and viewers get a taste of what this means to them. The kids are all home schooled and the girls are all required to dress modestly. The girls also must keep their hair long, as does Michelle. Bible study and church play a large role in the life of the entire family.

One major story line in 17 Kids and Counting that displayed the Duggars’ commitment to conservative Christian doctrine was oldest son Josh’s engagement and marriage. Josh met his finance, Anna, at a political event, and the two took an interest in each other. Anna, like Josh, had never dated and had been raised to wait until she found a man she thought she would marry before getting into a relationship. Both families were heavily involved in the courtship of the pair, especially the fathers who planned family visits.

Viewers then saw Josh and Anna have their first date, which was chaperoned. One hot topic of conversation on the show was whether or not they should kiss before being married, and they both agreed they didn’t want to have any physical interaction besides hand holding before the wedding.

The Duggars run a website for viewers interested in their ideas on parenting and religious values. You can visit it by clicking here..

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