As I stared at the Duggar Family’s 2014 Christmas card, my mouth agape, I actually began to wonder. Why don’t more Christmas cards wish Jesus a happy birthday? Why are we sending specialized Christmas cards when we should really send out birthday cards to Jesus? Happy birthday Jesus! Even though December 25th probably isn’t your real birthday, and the first Christians just co-opted a pagan winter festival years after your death and claimed that for sure, you were born in December, wink, nudge. The biblical passage on the Duggar’s Jesus B-Day card reads:
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a child is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulders: and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. – Isaiah 9:6.”
So now you know.
Meanwhile, there’s some somewhat sad news about the oldest Duggar daughter, Jana. Jana is an “old maid” at the age of 24, and she’s basically her parents’ slave at this point. Jana takes care of the house and raises her youngest siblings, all while her sisters get to “court” and act like wanton harlots with boys who are afraid of French kissing. Well, here’s yet another story about how Jana is the saddest of all Duggars:
The Duggars have once again ditched their eldest daughter! While many members of the 19 Kids and Counting family recently took off for a missionary trip to El Salvador, Jana was left at home caring for some of her younger siblings.
On Dec. 12, Michelle Duggar posted a Facebook update about the trip, and fans quickly noticed that Jana was missing from the family photos. “Where’s Jana?” they questioned, noting that the 24-year-old hadn’t been on this annual trip in the years prior, either.
It turns out Jana was left behind in Arkansas to care for the four youngest Duggars, Johanna, Jennifer, Jordyn and Josie. Jessa Duggar and Ben Seewald didn’t make the trip to El Salvador, but they weren’t around to help out Jana, either. Instead, they headed to Malvern, Arkansas, where they were the Grand Marshals of a holiday parade, and then enjoyed a weekend getaway in Hot Springs.
“While Jessa is being treated like the Homecoming princess, Jana is at home cooking, cleaning and tending to four, active young kids,” an insider gripes. “The Duggars make thousands of dollars per episode. If they have to be gone, they can afford to hire a babysitter now and then to give Jana a break.”
This recent unfair treatment has had fans rallying around Jana and constantly coming to her defense on social media.
Poor Jana. But at least her parents give her enough leeway to run their house in their absence, you know? And when Jim-Bob and Michelle are away… well, let’s hope that Jana has some fun. I hope she draws a bubble bath, smokes a blunt and has a glass of wine at the very least. What do you think is “worse” in Duggar-land? The idea that a 24-year-old slave-daughter would front-hug a boy without her parents’ permission, or the idea that a 24-year-old slave-daughter would pour a glass of wine and take a nice long bath?
Photos courtesy of Duggar family social media.
I thought all hugs were ‘front hugs’ ??
Nonono, those are just for heathens and married folk. Surely you’ve heard of side hugs? I wonder if they allow back hugs? Probably not. Those icky bewbies would make it too sexual…
I’ve seen a Dugger side hug in action. You don’t even touch a hip. It’s like a Jesus Air Kiss.
She’s a grown woman now and responsible for her own choices!
not in that world she isn’t.
This is what I think about polygamist cults too. Even if they do wait to marry off girls until age 18, are young women raised in total seclusion, with minimal education and intense indoctrination, really prepared to escape and face a world alone? I’m not sure our cultural understanding of “adult” really applies here.
Wow, this girl can’t catch a break here. Jana breaks my heart. She’s very kind and gentle and has evolved into the family’s punching bag (metaphorically speaking). She cannot and will not step up for herself. During wedding prep for one of her sisters, all the women went out shopping and brunching and having fun – except Jana. She was left home – alone – to sew all of the bridesmaids dresses. All of the sisters can sew – they just know they can get away with this. It’s backed up by the mother, and probably just naturally learned by the siblings.
How exactly do we know staying home wasn’t her choice? We’re on the outside looking in, we really have no idea how this young woman really feels, or the choices she makes.
Yeah staying home to care for only 4 kids was probably a vacation for her too!
She gets no sympathy from me. She’s old enough to leave home, get her own place and live her own life. She’s not a prisoner, she can walk out any time she wants to.
I understand what you’re saying, but she wasn’t raised to think for herself and be independent, she was taught to serve Jesus, then a husband and children. I’m hoping she’ll get tired of it and bolt, but she’s been brainwashed and sheltered her entire life so that isn’t likely.
You are absolutely right. My only issue with the Duggas is not about how many children they have, their faith, or religious affiliations; is the fact the family uses tactics that are quite similar to the ones used in cults, which aren’t beneficial for women.
If I were her, I’d write a book or give an interview and get a nice advance and start my life from there.
Sheltered is probably the key word here. If she can access the outside world at all, hopefully she will realize options are available to her.
Given her family’s notoriety, she could mKe money in ways other than working minimum wage. That is an advantage versus other young women who have led a similar existence.
Walk out anytime she wants? Really?! Yeah no. Not so much. You know daddy Duggar controls all that reality show money. So you’re saying she can leave home anytime with no money, nowhere to live, a homeschool education. Keep in mind she’s also been brainwashed her entire life that if she leaves the family she will go to hell. Have a little sympathy.
With you on this. Do they even give her spending money or do they pay for all those perms? Poor child.
Yeah–and I’m thinking that if she tried to get anything but a menial job, she’d have issues. Or try to go to college. Added to family pressures….it’s hard. If I was her, I’d be passing notes to whoever’s filming to producers to tell them to get me out of there.
And I guarantee you, there is NO alcohol in that house.
Totally with you on this. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if she’s been slated to eventually look after her parents as well, when she’s done with the kiddies. Vile and ghastly parents.
If she were Amish, she would have been given the choice-go out in the world or stay. She doesn’t have that choice. Or at least, she doesn’t know she has the choice.
She would need a strong, independent spirit to break free and although she seems very nice, she probably doesn’t have the guts to get away from her wacko family, far too scary to even think about. She may also not have the finances to do so. It wouldn’t be easy to assert your independence with that family.
She has been raised in a situation where education and economic opportunities are limited for her, if non-existent. Her choices are essentially to be dependent on a man all her life, be it her father or a husband. Further, she has been taught that women are worthless unless they are taking on a caregiver role and that they are not allowed autonomy.
I grew up up poor and struggled a lot, but I at least have a concept of autonomy and knowing myself. I could figure out where to find resources to better my situation. It is not the same for Jana. I think it is unfair to say she can get out if she wants when it isn’t that simple. She doesn’t have a network of people to turn to that are not her family. She can’t just get a job because she has very little experience outside of raising her family and her education is a joke. She would also have a hard time applying for college. She is also too sweet and caring that it would be easy for others in the outside world to take advantage of her.
I really wish Jana finds happiness in her life, but I don’t think it is possible for her unless an opportunity presented itself. So me personally, I have a lot of sympathy for her.
She also has an unmarried twin brother. Why isn’t anyone calling him an old maid?
In their very patriarchal society which I find very wrong, the only thing I somewhet like is the fact that men are expected to remain virgins too. I can’t remember a religion or a culture where that was the case, even in history. It was always expected only from women.
It doesn’t sound like he is forced to stay at home and take care of the children, though.
The Mormon religion also expects chastity from males.
She is very pretty. I hope someone comes to her rescue!
Poor thing. Probably not going to have kids of her own.
She’s only 24. She’t not dried up and menopausal. She has lots of time to have kids. Maybe not 20, but she has time to squeeze out 14 or 15.
Lol. One could see this as salvation of sorts in that context.
That´s not what I meant. I´m sure she is sick and tired of looking after Children, SO WHEN she “escapes” IF she “escapes” I´m sure she´ll find other things to do, wouldn´t you?
I can’t even go there with these people anymore. They make me sick.
I try to avoid coming into the threads about them because they upset me so much.
Me, too. I get so upset. It’s not worth it, yet here I am again.
“The fascination of the abomination” to quote “Heart of Darkness” by Joseph Conrad.
Me too GNAT. It’s like you can’t help looking at a car accident. I loathe these people. The father is so stupid he can hardly speak and the mother checked out 20 years ago. Their beliefs are twisted, ignorant, and harmful to their children and the Earth. The kids are just barely educated (by the older kids, not the mother) and only allowed to read/watch pre-approved Christian materials – so they are completely unprepared for the real world and must stay forever within the cult. It’s like having clipped wings.
I’m proud to say I’ve never seen this show, but I’m wondering…has none of these kids ever rebelled? There’s no “black sheep” who they omit from the Christmas card and don’t talk about? Because with that many kids you’d think the chances would be high that at least one of them would be all, “Screw these weirdos, I’m out.”
Jinger Duggar apparently wants out something fierce.
Give it time.I’m sure one of the younger ones will rebel.There is probably one who is 14 or 15 now who is planning his or her escape with the help of social media.
I wonder if Jana gets paid for doing the show? I know on Real Housewives the wives get a check but the husbands and kids don’t.
Come on Tebow, throw a girl a bone.
…literally!!
Perfect solution! (and funny as hell, might I add). Surely all the parents involved would heartily approve, am I right?!!
FREE JANA! FREE JANA!
This is why I could not make it through a single episode of their show several years ago.
Teaching and having responsibility is a good thing in moderation. Yet it is no wonder Michelle is all bubbly and ready to have more babies. The older kids were raising those kids and doing all the heavy lifting. Now it’s down to Jana.
OR the idea that Jana could possibly be gay and that’s why she’s being “punished” with constant child care? OR she’s asexual. OR… maybe she really doesn’t mind watching the kids and would rather run the house by herself and only a few kids than be stuck with her parents and everyone else? I always volunteered to stay behind on family trips if I could. I loved my solitude. Any other thoughts and theories? I wonder if the girls even have access to their own funds. Anyone know how the Duggar’s financials work? I’m assuming every penny is only accessible through Jim Bob.
Could be, but I remember seeing an interview were she was talking about how she hoped that one day it would be her turn to get married. And, that she was sure her parents knew what was best for her. It was terrifying.
It’s amazing how the girls all look gorgeous and the guys all look like trolls with receding hairlines.
Are bed perms mandatory in the Duggar family? Or is it a particular fetish that Jim-Bob has? In any case.. creepy!
You guessed it. Ole Jimmy Bob likes his women to look a certain way.
They don’t have them anymore, only Michelle has a perm now.
She is 24 and a legal adult. If she doesn’t like it, who’s to stop her from leaving?
You’ve obviously been fortunate enough to not have grown up in a cult like family.
She needs friends,money,education,skills before she can leave.I don’t watch the show,Does she have friends outside of her family?
Do you think she has any money of her own?
And where would she go? It easy to say that when the concept of choice and autonomy, as well as where to find resources, has been taught to you at a young age.
Dear Jesus. Please let poor lil Jana Duggar have a (heathen) glass of wine and take a bubble bath while watching an R rated movie (with nudity) while her parents are away! Amen.
I thought Jim Bob’s mother lived with them? Couldn’t she help out and maybe give Jana a break, so she can go take a bubble bath,have a glass of wine and smoke a blunt? Actually I bet grandma would like to have a glass of wine too.
I know I would if my son turned out like Jim Bob!!
JimBob’s mother lives with them, but her ingrate son has conscripted her as a laundry elf. Given their beliefs, he probably has control over her money, as he already does with Jana’s.
Yes, and that good woman made the very responsible decision to have only two children. Now she lives in that mad house. She has her own room off the laundry room – not even kidding. She does wear pants, so go Grandma!
I feel bad for her too but this is what they do. She is their built in babysitter. If I were an older Duggar girl I don’t think I would ever want kids. She is raising her brothers and sisters after all.
Yeah, once mama duggar is done popping kids out of her clown car vagina she only has about 10-15 years of servitude. Then maybe she can “retire.”
I’d also like to point out that the poor girl is sandwiched between her two married sisters and their husbands in the Christmas card. Poor thing . . . hope she escapes. It’s not to late for a college degree and some freedom for her.
Kaiser should write 100 percent of the articles. Kaiser, you’re awesome.
The hair??? What the…? #nochance
She looks like her mom.
When one of them does finally rebel, it won’t be her but the (ghostwritten) book is going to SELL.
Holy crap…she’s even got her hair “styled” like her mom. Gag.
I think I read that Jim Bob tells his daughters to style their hair that way.
Creepy.
Probably the wine and long bath – the other includes a male, so would most likely eventually be forgiven . . .
I hope she has internet and HBO, at least.
They must be purposefully keeping her home and single. All the other girls get shipped off to be baby making wives as soon as possible, but those creepy parents want her to take care of their little ones and probably them as well.
It would be great to see her say enough is enough and go find a life for herself, but I doubt it will happen.
I agree, that’s what they’re doing. Hopefully Michelle won’t pop any more children out and within a few years Jana will have her own life, such as it will be. I bet the ‘right man’ shows up pretty quickly after the youngest Duggar children reach the tween years. Hopefully sooner. At least Jana won’t be expected to pop out 20 kids if she marries in her late 20s or early 30s, which is perhaps the only saving grace in this weird family cult.
I want to bust out some old-school puffy paint and make a t-shirt that says “FREE JANA 2015”.
I was born in to a church that taught women were to be submissive to their husband and have as many children as possible. I hated it, and from as long as I can remember knew that would not be me. And it wasn’t. Why does it seem like all of these kids just keep going with their parent’s ideas of faith? I don’t understand why more of them aren’t like ‘forget this, I’m backpacking across Europe’.
Unfortunately, it’s the family business. And it’s a lucrative one. Thanks TLC.
I hope she hires a babysitter, buys a bus ticket and gets the hell out of Dodge.
With all of those kids, chances are at least one of them is gay. I can’t imagine growing up in that family gay. If any of them are, I really hope they break free of their family and live a happy and fulfilling life, away from the family. Because theirs no way their parents would accept that.
I can barely handle babysitting my 8 year old niece. How does this girl not pull her hair out? Does she enjoy this?
No, she has mentioned praying out of frustration in interviews before. She’s basically their slave…no money of her own, no friends outside the cult, no education or resources…she’s completely trapped.
I honestly think our darling Jana is gay. I’m by no means an expert and don’t claim you can tell by looking at someone, but my sister is gay and I’ve met a lot of her friends, and something about Jana’s smile (tense/repressed) makes me suspect – I mean, at least one of so many kids has to be gay right? Perhaps her parents found out/suspect and are “punishing” her. If that is the case, my heart really, really goes out to her and I hope she finds the courage to leave before she is married off into a life of misery. 🙁
For two rather average-looking people, the Duggars sure made beautiful daughters. I hope Jana finds happiness in some way or she’ll wake up at 50 and be miserable that she never got her own life.
And while we’re on the Duggar topic in general, nothing but nothing was creepier than the hand sex the oldest Duggar boy used to have with his fiancee. Ewwwwwww