Children: The New Accessory

At first glance this cluster of arms, legs, and hair might appear to be just that -- a sea of appendages, smiles, and nicely dressed children, ranging from a cornucopia of ages; however, upon my dismay and after further research, I discovered that this picture is a actually a portrait of a single family unit known as the Duggar family. The Duggar’s consist of 19 children – two of which are missing in the photograph – as well as both the mother, Michelle Duggar, and the father, Jim Bob Duggar – as pictured in the image. The best part about this story isn’t even that they have 19 kids, but that each and every last one of them has a name that begins with the letter “J”! And no, I am not kidding. The names of the children are listed as follows: Josie, Jordyn-Grace, Jennifer, Johannah, Jackson, Justin, James, Jason, Jeremiah, Jedidiah, Joy-Anna, Josiah, Joseph, Jinger, Jessa, Jill, John-David, Jana, and Joshua.

I guess I missed the memo stating that children are now the latest and trendiest fashion accessory. In addition, the memo must have indicated somewhere within it that by having a bunch of children, I can have my own, personal meal-tickets to fame and money. What am I talking about you ask? This family is famous for being so insanely huge that due to mommy and daddy’s abilities to procreate beyond belief, they were able to convince the television network that they should have their own show about their life as the Duggars (a.k.a. the largest family on the face of the planet!).

Personally, I find it disgusting that this family has that many children. There’s no way the mother and father have enough time to raise 19 children or give each and every one of them the love and attention that they deserve. Furthermore, I find it a bit disturbing that a television network would support and advertize such a crazy concept of continuous procreation as if it were a hobby and not actual human lives that were at stake. This family, as well as the network that airs the program, seems to think of kids as collector items – the more they have, the more money they will accrue.

What sort of message is this sending to the youths of our nation – have 20 or so kids and you will be able to get your own show and have lots of money? I mean, seriously; I don’t get it!