Amy Duggar Slams Jim Bob and Michelle for Taking Advantage of Jana: ‘If You’re Gonna Have That Many Kids Then Be Responsible for Them’
The Duggar family might be famous, but recent legal issues have caused the clan no end of heartache. In the wake of Josh Duggar’s child molestation trial, it isn’t just critics who are slamming the Duggars – but members of their own family are speaking out as well. Notably, Amy Duggar, a cousin to the Duggars, has been open about her issues with her famous family. In a recent post on Twitter, Duggar took her relatives to task once again, this time defending her beleaguered cousin Jana Duggar in the process.
The Duggars are often associated with the Quiverfull movement
The Duggars first rose to prominence in the early 2000s, with the success of their TV show 19 Kids and Counting. Fans were interested in the Duggar family due to the novelty of their family unit. Notably, the Duggars, helmed by Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, seem to be open to welcoming as many children as they can.
According to HuffPost, the Duggar family is often associated with the Quiverfull movement, a contingent of ultra-conservative Christians who don’t believe in birth control. Those who count themselves as part of the Quiverfull movement believe that children are a gift from God and that family planning goes against God’s plan. Oftentimes, these families who have many children turn to the older children in the family to watch the younger ones, forming their own built-in family support system.
While the Duggar family hasn’t vocalized their support for the Quiverfull movement, it seems as though many of the Duggars’ lifestyle choices echo those followed by Quiverfull Christians. Notably, some fans have noticed that the oldest Duggar daughter, Jana Duggar, who is unmarried, often lends a hand in helping out with childcare for her younger sisters and brothers with children.
What did Amy Duggar recently say about Jana Duggar being used as a ‘built-in babysitter’?
Amy Duggar seems to be sympathetic to the plight of her cousin, Jana Duggar. In a series of recent tweets following the news of Jana Duggar’s child endangerment charge, Amy Duggar spoke out in support. She wrote, “I believe that if you are a parent you should watch your own children. It’s not right to always have someone else watching them for you.”
According to Us Weekly, Duggar went on to clarify her initial tweet. “OK let me clear something up, I’m not talking about loving good parents that work and provide for their families. I support that! Of course!” she wrote. “I’m talking about people who rely on Aunt’s [sic] or friends or anyone that takes advantage of people. Just simply because they can.”
Duggar ended her Twitter posting by slamming those who use older children as a “built in babysitter,” writing, “Your kids no matter what their age is should be able to live a normal adolescent life. Helping out every once in a while is great but if you’re gonna have that many kids then be responsible for them.”
Jana Duggar was recently charged with child endangerment
Jana Duggar ended up in the headlines in early December 2021, when news broke that the former reality star had been charged with endangering the welfare of a minor in September 2021. Duggar took to social media in the days following the revelation to claim that she had been babysitting when the child in question (who was not identified) wandered outside and was noticed by a passerby. The child was unharmed, but the incident shed new light on the Duggars’ lifestyle, and their alleged habit of relying on Jana Duggar and other members of the family for childcare.
Although Duggar initially pleaded not guilty, a settlement in the case was reached in early January 2022, with Duggar pleading guilty and paying a fine of around $880. For Jana Duggar, and indeed, the entire Duggar clan, it seems as though the scrutiny is just beginning.
