Jon & Kate + 8 Versus 17 Kids and Counting - Which Family is More Toxic?
Much debate has gone on regarding which parenting style is more harmful towards the children - Kate Gosselin with her neurotic behavior and, "Me, me, meeee!" style of parenting, or Michelle Duggar and her seemingly hands-off approach to raising seventeen children and their stiflingly-conservative lifestyle.
The Internet harbors more pro Jon and Kate Gosselin fans than Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar fans. Even those who are horrified by Kate's brash attitude and can't-be-bothered parenting skills are doubly put off by the Duggar parenting method. People, especially fellow parents think it's selfish and unhealthy to pawn your new baby off onto on of your other many children as soon as they are weaned.
They think that even though Michelle and Jim Bob seem to have an endless amount of love and patience for their children, it doesn't make up for the fact that this woman is about to have her 18th baby and makes her older children to raise the younger ones.
If you have followed my other Jon & Kate Plus 8 articles here at Associated Content, you know I am not a fan of Kate, her egocentric parenting form, or this whole ignored child-labor issue. In one of my articles I favored the Duggars and was met with an onslaught of disbelief.
While I don't agree with either lifestyle or parenting method, as of right now, I still favor the Duggars for the simple reason that I've seen 17 Kids and Counting, as well as the previous Duggar shows, and the love and compassion that family has is tangible and seems real.
No parent is perfect, but when it comes to comparing the Gosselins with the Duggars, compassion, serenity, love and patience trump chaos, yelling, belittling and hypocrisy any day.
I would be shocked if Michelle and Jim Bob go down the same path as Jon and Kate as regards to unabashedly pimping out their kids for the sake of money and ratings, because the Duggars seem relatively grounded in their lifestyle and religion.
Of course, Jon and Kate's original specials seemed innocuous enough. Even the first season or two of Jon & Kate Plus 8 appealed to our curiosity. Now it appeals to Kate's wallet.
All we can do is hope the Duggar's 17 Kids and Counting doesn't turn into the same televised debacle.
Published by Alicia White
Alicia is a former air traffic controller who lived in Japan for several years. She's currently a freelance writer in California, and a full-time student majoring in digital media/graphic design. View profile
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- How Many Children is Too Many ChildrenThe Duggar Family is going to have their 18th child
- Jon and Kate Plus Eight: A Sham?I love to watch Jon and Kate Plus Eight! That's why I was dismayed to see that a National Enquirer article was slamming the family. Find out what they say, and whether or not you agree.
- Top Three Reasons Why Jon and Kate Plus 8 Isn't a Horrible Reality TV ShowJon and Kate Plus 8 isn't as bad as many make it out to be. As a matter of fact, much can be learned from watching the show.
- A Family with Sixteen Children - a Look at the Duggar Family
- Michelle Duggar is Pregnant with Baby Number Seventeen!
- Media Myths About the Quiverfull Movement
- The Duggar Family: 16 Children and Pregnant Again
- 17 Biological Kids and Counting: Who Am I to Judge?
- Jon & Kate Plus 8: At Least They're Genuine
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14 Comments
Post a Comment19 Children and Counting is an inspiring show. Parents Michelle and Jim Bob try to walk with God everyday. They recognize that children are a blessing from God. Each family member learns clear rules and boundaries. They also learn to pitch in because everyone's efforts are appreciated. I find their conservative values and love of family quite refreshing!
Iam so in agreement that the Duggers persistent calm is because they have fostered their younger kids off on the older ones. The older kids have been brainwashed that it is their lot in life to raise their siblings and not question their parents overburdened life. I say%2C if you have to shop at the flea market for used clothing and shoes because you cannot afford new ones for your children%3B you should be clued in that you CANNOT AFFORD A COMMUNITY OF KIDS......
The Duggers & the other one "Table for 12" are absolutely disgusting! Trying to see how many kids you can have & instead of teaching children not to get married & start having children is sooooo uncuth.
Table for 12 used to make me literally throw up until I stopped watching it! A grown up father (cop) slurping spaghetti instead of teaching the children manners is right down dirty, filthy, or whatever you call it.
At least John & Kate plus 8 have CLASS!!!!
My prayers to all of you & God bless you!
I do not need to watch the show to see the drama on morning news shows or magazines. There enough real news out there, I do not give a darn if either of these families fail. I just donot want my tax dollars going towards them to pay for anything they need. Did you remember what the bible says about adultery or have you forgotten??? I thought adultery was more serious than judging punishable by death???
How do you know what goes on behind camers. Do you live there no so keep your mouth shut!!!!!!! DONT WATCH THE SHOW!!!!!!!!
Nobody should judge either of these families. Look at your own before you judge others. Remember what the bible says about judging others. Who cares how big they want there families and how they decide to make there money. It is nobodys business. DONT WATCH THE SHOW IF YOUR ONLY GOING TO COMPLAIN!!!!!!!!!!!
There is no reason for Michelle not to look calm and easy going. The older children are raising her big brood while she lies around and procreates.
18 kids and counting is a good show to watch and yes tlc does make fun of that family,but the duggar family has more sense than jon and kate plus eight.jon and kate are two greedy people that exploited their kids to get free stuff when they made 60,000 a episode and that don't count what jon makes working at the capitol so they are not hurting for anything.i can't wait when the jon and kate plus eight goes off the air at least people won't fall into their lying,decieveing,greedy ways.and people won't have to hear those crying kids all the time that got on my nerves,they should've broke those kids from acting like that.all i can say to the gossellin family is good-bye and good riddens won't miss your show, you all have done enough explorting your kids for free stuff when you all aren't grateful what people send you,you all got to have the very best with all the money you made off each episode you can afford anything without begging for someone to send it to you and lying ,decieveing peo
Even if people don't agree with Michelle and Jim-Bob's religious views, it seems to me that Michelle has infinite patience and a calm and gentle manner with her kids and her husband. I am so sick of Kate screaming and yelling at the kids, and belittleing Jon. I would say the Gosselin's show should be cancelled, but then what would happen to those kids without the production staff and the watching world to monitor the situation????
I find Kate very annoying & selfish. She is clueless about her behavior, which to me is very dysfunctional. I feel sorry for her kids & Jon. She verbally abusive & seems to have this sense of entitlement. She is quite the drama queen. She needs to grow up! She is very inmature!