19 Kids and Counting

TV review by Anne Louise Bannon, Common Sense Media
19 Kids and Counting Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 8+

Mild behind-the-scenes look at an unusually large family.

TLC Reality TV 2008
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Parents say

age 7+

Based on 12 reviews

Kids say

age 7+

Based on 21 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that 19 Kids and Counting focuses on the real-life ups and downs of a large conservative Christian family. Many of the family activities on display promote family togetherness, respect for elders, firm but loving discipline, and more positive family behaviors. In later season of the show the Duggars experience a miscarriage as well as have a child who has some special health needs, which brings up the question of why the parents continue to have children. Not everyone will agree with the family's choices, but there are no other iffy issues to content with.

Community Reviews

Cjintexas
Cjintexas Adult
June 30, 2020
age 3+

Dumb Show!

This show and Counting on gives young girls the wrong message. Girls should go to college. This show only focus on young girls getting married, sex then the baby. Sham on you TLC. The family family don't watch tv but want you to watch them. They have made plenty of money off if tv. Boycott this ridiculous out dated show.

This title has:

Too much sex
L T.
L T. Adult
June 2, 2017
age 18+

Annoying and boring

Annoying and repetitive All about pregnancy in early age Boring show. I am no longer watching this
See all 12 parent reviews

What's the Story?

19 KIDS AND COUNTING offers TV viewers a look at the daily life of the Duggar family of Arkansas, which has already achieved some fame, including appearances on The Today Show. Managing their clan of 19 kids -- whose names all begin with J -- presents Jim Bob Duggar and his wife Michelle with their own unique challenges, all of which they approach with faith and traditional values.

Is It Any Good?

Despite the fact that they severely limit their children's access to TV, the Internet, and other mainstream media, the Duggar clan has become quite famous thanks to their voyeuristic reality show. 19 Kids and Counting contains lots of positive messages about family, faith, and love, thanks to Michelle and Jim Bob's gentle, but firm, approach to parenting, and the children's willingness to help their parents and each other without being bratty or disrespectful. The series also showcases the unique steps the family takes to keep the household running smoothly, as well as some of the family and faith-based activities they participate in.

While they don't discuss all the specifics of their conservative Christian beliefs or their participation in the controversial Quiverfull Movement (which views having large families as a way of promoting their faith) on camera, later seasons of the show stirred up some controversy thanks to Michelle's high-risk -- and highly-publicized -- 19th and 20th pregnancies, one of which resulted in a miscarriage. As a result, one can't help but wonder why they are putting themselves, and some of their more personal moments, in the secular limelight. But if you can get past this, the show is certainly a peek into a different world.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about why the Duggars were asked to appear on a mainstream TV reality show. Why do you think the Duggars agreed to be on a TV show, despite the fact that they do not allow cable access in their home?

  • Do the Duggars ever fully explain why they have chosen to have so many kids? Why do you think they are willing to share some of the highs and lows relating to some of the latest pregnancies with the public? Why do some people find this controversial?

  • How do the Duggars compare to other large families featured in the media?

TV Details

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