Fans have considered the Duggars' parenting practices problematic for a long time, and this news certainly isn't going to help. In recently unsealed court documents, several of their daughters revealed that Jim Bob and Michelle used corporal punishment with their children, and the details are hard to read. Considering everything that the Duggar kids have been through over the years, this news is heartbreaking but not surprising.
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The files from the Duggar sisters' privacy lawsuit recently became publicly available.
The Duggar sisters' lawsuit was dismissed by an Arkansas judge in 2022, but it's only recently that we're learning new details and getting more of the full picture about what goes on behind the scenes in this famous family. Some of those details have been a bit disturbing so far, such as the way Jill described her father as "verbally abusive," and now, we're learning more about Jim Bob and Michelle's controversial parenting style.
At least three of the sisters have confirmed the Duggars use corporal punishment on their children.
Vlogger Katie Joy of Without a Crystal Ball has shared some of the documents, including one in which the sisters each talk about their relationships with their parents. Jinger, Jill, and Jessa all revealed that their parents hit them as a means of punishment.
Jinger said that, as a child, she would "avoid conflict at any cost," though she felt safe at home, with Jim Bob spanking her as discipline. According to her, he'd use a "little twig … just a tiny sting … nothing over the top."
Jill said she had been hit by both parents.
According to Jill, both of her parents hit her with an object at least once as a form of punishment, including spanking and slapping. She also said Jim Bob would yell or take away privileges.
Interestingly enough, Jill also noted that Michelle suffered from depression — something that hasn't been talked about very much publicly, if at all.
Other disturbing details have been revealed.
Apparently, Jim Bob and Michelle avoided being served for the civil lawsuit to the extent that they packed up and left home — and they even enlisted Jessa to help them avoid getting served a subpoena.
"Jim Bob & Michelle refused service. The Duggars also had Jessa decline service on behalf of her parents. Jessa told the server to leave the property," Katie Joy explained on Instagram. "The Duggars then went on a cross country trip at the end of September 2021 to avoid service in the civil lawsuit."
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This certainly won't be the end of these revelations.
It seems there are a lot of documents to read through and process, so we wouldn't be surprised if more details surface in the coming days.
We just hope that the kids who are still living under Jim Bob and Michelle's roof are safe. It sounds like their upbringing may have been scarier than reality TV would have had us believe.
