The Duggar Family, best known for their reality TV shows such as TLC’s 19 Kids and Counting, are in the spotlight once again with Amazon Prime’s latest docuseries, Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets. Released on June 2, the series delves into the scandals surrounding the family and the cult-like religious group they promoted, the Institute in Basic Life Principles (IBLP).
Featuring testimonies from daughter Jill (Duggar) Dillard, her husband Derick Dillard, niece Amy (Duggar) King, and several former IBLP members, the docuseries sheds light on allegations of sex abuse, child abuse, and financial mistreatment within the family and the religious group.
Behind the Scenes of 19 Kids and Counting
The Duggars gained national attention through Jim Bob Duggar’s political career. After serving as a Republican Arkansas state representative for four years, he ran for a seat in the U.S. Senate in 2002. Although unsuccessful, his large family caught the attention of Discovery Network executives, leading to their reality TV shows.
The Duggars’ reality shows, which chronicled the daily lives of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar and their 19 children, were a boon for the network. With inexpensive production costs and high viewership, the shows boosted the network’s ratings.
The Institute of Basic Life Principles and Founder Bill Gothard
Founded in 1961 by Bill Gothard, the IBLP is a Christian organization followed by the Duggars. Former members have described it as cult-like, with strict teachings and rigid gender norms. The organization has faced criticism for promoting patriarchy and authoritarianism, as well as allegations of sexual harassment against Gothard.
The documentary highlights the negative experiences of several former congregants, who felt undereducated, abused, and mistreated by IBLP teachings. Gothard stepped down from his position in 2014 following the allegations but has denied any wrongdoing.
Jill Duggar Speaks Out About Abuse from Brother Josh
In 2015, In Touch Magazine published a story based on a decade-old police report stating that Josh Duggar had forcibly touched at least five girls, including his sisters Jill and Jessa. In Shiny Happy People, Jill Duggar sets the record straight about her experiences and expresses regret for defending her brother in a previous interview with Megyn Kelly.
The documentary also reveals that none of the Duggar siblings received compensation for their appearances on the reality shows, with Jim Bob Duggar reportedly earning millions.
Josh Duggar was convicted on child pornography charges in May 2021 and is currently serving a 12-year sentence in federal prison in Texas.
The Future of the Duggars, IBLP, and the Joshua Generation
Despite the scandals, Jim Bob Duggar continues to lead the IBLP. The enrollment option for IBLP’s homeschooling program “Advanced Training Institute” concluded in 2021, but its teachings are still available online.
The documentary also explores the emergence of the Joshua Generation, a political Christian youth group inspired by the teachings of Gothard and the IBLP. Former Congressman Madison Cawthorn has been linked to the group.
With the rise of social media and content creation platforms, Duggar family members and former members of the fundamentalist movement, like Jill Duggar, are increasingly sharing their stories online.
