By Deirdre Spilman
Associate Editor
In the Bible, it is stated that every child is a gift from God (Psalms 127:3). If this is true, then Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar of TLC’s “19 Kids and Counting” are extremely spoiled.
After experiencing complications and even a miscarriage with later-in-life pregnancies, the couple is still trying to make their family an even 22 members.
If you haven’t heard of the Duggars, they are a household of Christians with an obsession for the letter “j.” All their children’s names begin with the letter; there’s even a Jinger. They live in Arkansas, and their unique story inspired a reality television show, now in its 12th season.
They have made multiple talk-show appearances and written several books spreading their message of celebrating life and living it the way God intended. However, their message is becoming harder to handle as the years progress and this middle-aged woman keeps trying to reproduce. She hopes that despite the risks and through the divinity of God, the next baby will be healthy.
I know you’re probably thinking, “why am I reading this article about a family I don’t know and what gives this ignorant student the right to judge?” You’re right, it is nowhere near my place to judge how many children the Duggars should have. I just think it is unfair to give birth to a child that will have a far from fair shot at living a healthy life.
The risks associated with becoming pregnant after age 40 are higher when compared to those of younger mothers.
Older mothers face the possibility of gestational diabetes, placental abnormalities, high blood pressure, premature birth, miscarriage and stillbirth, according to an story on fitpregnancy.com.
And the issues don’t stop when the baby is born. Babies born to later-in-life mothers have a higher risk for genetic disorders and low birth weight, according to fitpregnancy.com
However, this host of complications and the obvious warning signs of a miscarriage and a case of pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure and substantial amounts of protein in urine after the 20th week) are not going to deter the Duggars.
“I would hope, but we are not expecting right now. I would be so grateful if the Lord blessed us with another one,” Michelle said in an Oct. 9 USA Today story. “We’re trying at this point and we shall see if that is a possibility.”
Their casualness with life is disgusting. From an outside view their mentality seems to be “if this one doesn’t work out we can always try again.” Why bring a child into this world when you know that more likely than not, his or her life is going to be a struggle?
Millions of people watch their show and look to the Duggars for advice. They shouldn’t be spreading the irresponsible message of try until you succeed, all risks aside.
Can these people not be satisfied with what they already have? They’ve been blessed with more than some people can even dream of, and they still have their hands out for more. If they think more children are so necessary in their lives, they should adopt.
spilmadm10@bonaventure.edu
