The Duggar Family

[Sprailenes 47]

I think for the size of that family, that mom certainly does impress me. I am not religious at all, but I just have a lot of respect for the way they do things. All ####### jokes aside, she is a great mother.

[Miranda&James 8]

Having bounderies is a good thing but this is more than just bounderies it's a dictation of what is and isn't acceptable on grounds that the parents choose which have nothing to do with the restrictions of danger or cost. Again, the gender thing is really not just some harmless whim. It totally re inforces all the old prejudicies regarding the roles of females in society and that is bad thing and again, I don't give a fig for what the bible thinks a female's role in life is, I personally find the treatment of women in most religions shocking. Oh yes, men can wrap it up in the "my woman is my most precious object" package but that's just condescending to me. I'm either your equal or I am not in the partnership, end of story. Origianal sin? Humbug to that!

I have no problem with children playing a supportive role within the family, but are you truly suggesting that two people can adequately 'parent' 17 children? Clearly, they can't because they don't, they use the children to complete the household chores and actively parent . While I again, have no problem with children learning all the tasks that make up family life, I don't believe that they are there to do the household chores of the family.

I am not suggesting this is slavery, I was creating the analogy becaus some people couldn't see the harm in slavery when the slaves where kept in nice conditions. Freedom is allowing your children to explore, yes with a parent's guidance but it is not telling them what life path they have to follow. Dedicating their children to god? I don't have a problem with that when it's just a symbol of your ideology but it's offensive when it's put into practice.

Well we will agree to disagree because your personal views on gender roles don't necessarily have to match up with everyone else, so to each his own. The treatment of women in principle in the bible is very different from reality - women are actually meant to be treated very highly and some in depth research would reveal that. Are you not going to have your children do any chores or expect them to never help you out if you need a hand with their younger siblings? Besides, to assume that you know everything about them from a tv show is silly, obviously their entire philosophy and the reality of their lives cannot be put into a few 1 hour specials.

I think for the size of that family, that mom certainly does impress me. I am not religious at all, but I just have a lot of respect for the way they do things. All ####### jokes aside, she is a great mother.

Exactly, you don't have to agree with their religion but the fact is what they are specifically doing seems to be working great, their children are happy and healthy, their lives seem to run pretty smoothly, and they are financially stable.

[Dan J 277]

Where i grew up, a family of 6-8 kids was the norm. There were several families that had 18+ kids.

Having a large family is irresponsible. We are in a world were we already have too many people consuming resources at an unsustainable rate. Overpopulation is more of a problem in other parts of the world, but we can start by setting an example here.

[Sprailenes 47]

I mean there's tons of parents who have kids, many kids and can't provide the bare necessities or the love and compassion. This family seems pretty tight and maybe they're not like the rest of us. Maybe they do live in their own little "ideal" society, but that is their belief system. I don't think I can honestly condemn them for that.

I mean sure they could adopt, but I don't think its about that for them. They don't use birth control for their own personal reasons...but that doesn't mean they need to stop having sex. If they can provide a home and love for those children, then so be it.

And I am all about thinking about the worlds population too, but believe me millions of people are having babies each day, and thousands are using fertility drugs and having multiples...I'd worry about those people more. The duggars aren't throwing the world off.

[Peikko 1,575]

I don't agree with their assesment as to what is 'wrong' with birth control pills the whole "we were rejecting his gifts" thing is intended to bring on a huge guilt trip, however, they don't agree with it, so what? However, what's wrong with condoms? Or even the rhythm method? There is a limit to how many kids two people can parent. That I think they have gone way over that limit is my opinion - however, just saying, "oh, we'll have as many kids as god thinks fit?" No, they are not bad people, they are not evil people, they are not dangerous but their views are repressive and retrospective.

[Peikko 1,575]

Gender roles are a matter for personal opinion? How extraordinary. I guess this is why it is taking so long for women to get paid the same as men for doing the same work in this country. That is appalling. Yes, men and women are differerent but there is nothing that dictates that the 'washing' is the work of the woman and 'carpentry' is the work of a man. There is no such thing as 'woman's' work and 'man's' work. Work is work, chores are chores. Really, I have to shake my head at that one.

[Miranda&James 8]

Gender roles are a matter for personal opinion? How extraordinary. I guess this is why it is taking so long for women to get paid the same as men for doing the same work in this country. That is appalling. Yes, men and women are differerent but there is nothing that dictates that the 'washing' is the work of the woman and 'carpentry' is the work of a man. There is no such thing as 'woman's' work and 'man's' work. Work is work, chores are chores. Really, I have to shake my head at that one.

What one believes comprises an appropriate gender role is absolutely a matter of opinion. I never said to what gender roles I personally subscribe, I was merely referring to the Duggars. Gender roles go FAR beyond "work".

Edited February 6, 2008 by Miranda&James

[Sprailenes 47]

Gender roles are a matter for personal opinion? How extraordinary. I guess this is why it is taking so long for women to get paid the same as men for doing the same work in this country. That is appalling. Yes, men and women are differerent but there is nothing that dictates that the 'washing' is the work of the woman and 'carpentry' is the work of a man. There is no such thing as 'woman's' work and 'man's' work. Work is work, chores are chores. Really, I have to shake my head at that one.

Understood and even though I am all about equality. For thousands of years in many cultures and religions there were roles for each gender.

Many people today, still follow those rules.

Many who follow these rules are VERY religious.

[almaty 19]

..

[Sprailenes 47]

But whatever we don't have to agree with it, we can be creeped out by it. It's not going to change who they are.

So I guess I'll just start trying to save the environment instead.

[Miranda&James 8]

Gender roles are a matter for personal opinion? How extraordinary. I guess this is why it is taking so long for women to get paid the same as men for doing the same work in this country. That is appalling. Yes, men and women are differerent but there is nothing that dictates that the 'washing' is the work of the woman and 'carpentry' is the work of a man. There is no such thing as 'woman's' work and 'man's' work. Work is work, chores are chores. Really, I have to shake my head at that one.

Understood and even though I am all about equality. For thousands of years in many cultures and religions there were roles for each gender.

Many people today, still follow those rules.

Many who follow these rules are VERY religious.

Gender roles go so far beyond who does what job. Do you (I'm speaking in general to women) put makeup on? Wear clothes from the women's department? Wear high heels? Say m'am to a woman and sir to a man you are trying to be respectful to? Get called Mrs. or Ms. so and so? These are all things that define what it means to be a certain gender. I'm not saying what I think is right or wrong, just point out the general fact that gender roles encompass so much more than work, and what is thought to be appropriate for a man and woman can vary widely and is a matter usually that comes from personal opinion and societal upbringing.

[DeadPoolX 9]

How much money do you have to earn to support that little lot...

To the salt mines with them!

Gender roles are a matter for personal opinion? How extraordinary. I guess this is why it is taking so long for women to get paid the same as men for doing the same work in this country. That is appalling. Yes, men and women are differerent but there is nothing that dictates that the 'washing' is the work of the woman and 'carpentry' is the work of a man. There is no such thing as 'woman's' work and 'man's' work. Work is work, chores are chores. Really, I have to shake my head at that one.

I'm sorry, but I have trouble believing the whole "women get paid less for the same work as men" rhetoric and here's why: if women truly got paid less and were expected to do exactly the same work as a man, why would any employer hire a man? Employers could cut costs easily by merely hiring women, since they'd get the same amount of productivity, while reducing their own expenses. B)

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

How much money do you have to earn to support that little lot...

To the salt mines with them!

Gender roles are a matter for personal opinion? How extraordinary. I guess this is why it is taking so long for women to get paid the same as men for doing the same work in this country. That is appalling. Yes, men and women are differerent but there is nothing that dictates that the 'washing' is the work of the woman and 'carpentry' is the work of a man. There is no such thing as 'woman's' work and 'man's' work. Work is work, chores are chores. Really, I have to shake my head at that one.

I'm sorry, but I have trouble believing the whole "women get paid less for the same work as men" rhetoric and here's why: if women truly got paid less and were expected to do exactly the same work as a man, why would any employer hire a man? Employers could cut costs easily by merely hiring women, since they'd get the same amount of productivity, while reducing their own expenses. B)

Wasn't sure if you meant that seriously or not, but I don't think its rhetoric. There have been studies comparing average earnings between men and women for some time now. Its an established example of institutional prejudice.

[Ban Hammer 13,346]

Its so funny these days when people are happy about stuff its "creepy"

There was this girl back in Canada who'd always be smiling and would say "hi" to every one she passed, even if you passed her on the way to the restroom and on the way back, she'd smile and say hi again.

We thought she was creepy. But really she was just really happy.....OR WAS SHE?

maybe she was telling you what she was - high!

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

don't you find it odd that they're so happy about every single thing? I know if I had to build an entire house on my own with my brothers and my dad I would definately not be so excited about it. Those kids were all waaaay too into it for me. The way they talked about it was like they were going to an amusement park or something. That is a bit creepy to me

I find Evangelists generally creepy.