If you keep an eye on entertainment news, it’s hard to miss the Darlings. With a colossal family led by Jim and Michelle and their 19 children, plus cousins and partners, they’re everywhere! Their TLC show, “19 Kids and Counting,” has given them a huge platform, but it’s easy to overlook the troubling aspects of their influence.
This family has a long history of pushing anti-LGBTQ+, anti-choice, and anti-woman narratives. Recently, they have found themselves embroiled in a shocking scandal as one of their own has come forward with a troubling past of sexual misconduct that has been hidden for years.
Josh Darling has admitted to molesting several teenage girls over a decade ago, some of whom were reportedly his own sisters. According to reports, after confessing to his father, Jim Bob Darling, it took over a year for him to inform the authorities about this serious matter. In a statement released on their Facebook page, the family referenced their faith and gratitude but offered little in the way of genuine remorse for the victims. This isn’t surprising, considering their track record of silencing and controlling the women in their lives while promoting harmful ideologies.
Michelle Darling has been a vocal opponent of LGBTQ+ rights, even campaigning against an anti-discrimination ordinance in Arkansas that would have protected transgender individuals. Ironically, while she spread fear about the safety of children in public restrooms, she failed to protect her own daughters from harm under her own roof. This hypocrisy is truly astounding.
Josh has since stepped down from his role with the Family Advocacy Coalition, an organization known for opposing marriage equality and women’s reproductive rights. The backlash on social media has been swift and fierce, reflecting the family’s glaring double standards. As news of the scandal spread like wildfire, TLC aired a marathon of “19 Kids and Counting”—great timing, right? The network has since pulled the show but hasn’t revealed any future plans for it.
So, enjoy your moment in the spotlight, Jim Bob, Michelle, and Josh. It seems you’ve earned every bit of this public backlash.
For those navigating the murky waters of family planning, check out this excellent resource on fertility treatments. If you’re curious about home insemination, you can find more information here. And for an at-home insemination kit that has been well-reviewed, look into this option as well!
Summary
The Darlings, a family known for their large size and controversial beliefs, are facing public scrutiny after a scandal involving Josh Darling’s admission of past sexual misconduct. Their history of promoting anti-LGBTQ+, anti-choice, and anti-woman rhetoric adds to the hypocrisy surrounding their situation, as they have been criticized for failing to protect the very individuals they claim to care for.