The Duggar family"s unusual dating rules have been well documented, and have been well before the family was embroiled in scandals.
It was an abrupt and stunning fall from grace when Josh Duggar"s child molestation history – and rampant adultery – was first exposed.
Yet, despite his hypocrisy, and the fact that everything about them has been under more scrutiny, the Duggars weathered the storm.
TLC axed 19 Kids & Counting, only to come back with Counting On, and you can count on them never backing down from their beliefs.
When it comes to their core convictions, they stand firm.
Their belief system certainly takes a certain kind of conviction in order to practice, too, since their list of rules for love and life is not short.
Despite talk of Joy-Anna Duggar breaking courtship rules, and signs of hope like Jinger wearing shorts, these guidelines ain"t no joke.
Here are 19 things the Duggars specifically do not allow …
1. Dates Without Chaperones
The Duggar parents often accompany their kids on dates in order to maintain “accountability” and “keep things from going in the wrong direction,” per Jim Bob. The girls are fine with this, as being alone with men puts them in grave “moral danger.” When the parents aren’t available, their older siblings will often tag along, making every date a group date and a family affair.
2. Non-Group Texts
Even in the kids’ late teens and early 20s, mom and dad are creeping on their text messages. When Ben Seewald jokingly wrote to fiancee Jessa, “Give me a ring,” Jim Bob actually jumped in on the group text, writing “No ring yet.” With a smiley face emoticon. Seriously, he did that. Whatever you think of him, Jim Bob needs his own Instagram so he can start posting screen shots of this stuff.
3. Hugs on the Chest
This moment you see here between Jill Duggar and Derick Dillard would not have been permitted until the couple was married. Side hugs are the preferred method of PDA in order to prevent any further temptation or “hanky panky,” as has been well documented on 19 Kids and Counting. The Duggars love their side hugs so hard … though not too too hard, lest they lead to full-frontal hugging. And any touching beyond that? Save it for your wedding night.
4. Alcohol
This is probably an obvious one if you know anything about the Duggars. The family does not smoke or drink. They do, however, enjoy the occasional sugary dessert or getting high on life and love.
5. Romance Novels
Safe to say the Duggars are in the minority, having not read Fifty Shades of Grey (the movie adaptation of which they won’t be seeing either, we’re guessing). The Bible warns not to “think about gratifying the pleasure of the flesh,” so instead the family studies Christian text and not E.L. James’ erotic fiction. The Duggars’ option is probably 1,000 times better-written, we will give them that much.
6. Modern Music and/or Dancing
Avert your eyes, Michelle Duggar! The family matriarch feels that dancing encourages “sensual” feelings, while Jessa Duggar has said that she feels modern music promotes “sex, drugs, all that type of stuff.” Instead, the family chooses to play gospel music together.
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