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It’s common knowledge that young women often marry men who resemble their fathers, whether they intend to or not. The daughters in the Duggar family are no exception – many have married men who are very similar to their father, Jim Bob.

The Duggars became famous a decade ago when 19 Kids and Counting first premiered on TLC. The show followed the lives of the conservative Christian family as they navigated the trials of raising so many children. In the Duggar family, the father was the literal and figurative head of the family, working, making decisions, and running the household. Jim Bob Duggar reigned supreme over his wife and children in a traditional patriarchal family.

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Jim Bob helped choose his children’s spouses

When his daughters were old enough to marry, they didn’t just go out and choose spouses for themselves. Instead, Jim Bob had to approve and bless the partnership before the couple could start courting. That means that he had a hand in choosing each of his daughters’ spouses, including Derick Dillard, Ben Seewald, Jeremy Vuolo, and Austin Forsyth. But does Jim Bob regret any of his decisions?

Lots of people can’t stand Derick Dillard

The most controversial spouse in the Duggar clan is probably Derick Dillard. This outspoken ultra-conservative received criticism and even got fired from the popular Duggar family spinoff show, Counting On, after comments he made about Jazz Jennings.

Dillard has been accused of making anti-LGBTQ statements, like in August 2017 when he said: “What an oxymoron … a ‘reality’ show which follows a non-reality. ‘Transgender’ is a myth.” Later in June 2018, he responded to Jazz’s gender confirmation surgery and said: “A system that allows this kind of child abuse is clearly broken.”

Besides just those comments, some fans also believe that Dillard cheated on Jill Duggar. This is based on the cryptic Bible verses Dillard tweeted out that referenced adultery.

 Here’s what Jim Bob really thinks of Derick Dillard

Though he’s never publicly stated any negative feelings about Derick Dillard, rumors about the animosity between Jim Bob and Derick have been swirling for years. And you know what they say – there’s a grain of truth to most rumors.

Chief amongst them is the idea that Derick caused the couple to leave the show, leaving them with no way to support their young family. Starring in Counting On was the family’s main source of income and now that the pair had to leave, it left a huge strain on their finances. Jim Bob was supposedly most upset that he’d have to keep supporting them financially until Derick finished law school.

Jill Duggar is rebelling against her dad’s rules

But that’s not all – many fans have noticed that Jill keeps rebelling against her father’s strict rules and her husband seems to support it. For example, the Duggar women are only allowed to wear skirts, never pants, and definitely not shorts. That’s why it was so shocking when Derick snapped a photo of his wife, Jill Duggar, while the pair was hiking. She was decked out in what appears to be regular hot weather apparel – shorts and a tank top. But if you know the Duggars and Jim Bob in particular, then you know this outfit choice is anything but ordinary.

Would Jill and Derick Dillard ever split up?

At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what Jim Bob Duggar thinks of Derick Dillard. Once a daughter leaves her father’s house, she becomes a partner with her husband and no longer must abide by her father’s rules. And unless it was an extreme case, it’s likely that Jill Duggar’s parents would ever advocate for divorce (that’s forbidden in the Duggar religion).

For the time being, even if he may feel annoyed by Derick Dillard, Jim Bob is likely to smile and put up with his daughter’s husband. After all… he has no one to blame but himself for the match.

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