19 Kids and Counting star Josiah Duggar made big news a few months ago when the family announced he and Marjorie Jackson had entered into a courtship. Now that courtship has ended.
In the Duggar family, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar raise their children with some hard and fast rules–especially regarding socialization with the opposite sex. Duggar kids don’t date. They court instead.
A courtship is pretty much designed to check out compatibility for a life-long relationship–as in marriage. The 19 Kids and Counting stars court people who are potential life mates, strong Christians, and meet Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar’s standards.
The Duggar family has come under great scrutiny in recent months since Josh Duggar’s sexual molestation scandal made news. He has admitted to sexually molesting five underage girls when he was a teenager. Four of his victims are his sisters. Two of the sisters–Jill Duggar Dillard and Jessa Duggar Seewald–came forward and admitted they only learned of their brother’s actions when their parents told them what happened. They were asleep at the time he touched them inappropriately.
Now Josiah Duggar and Marjorie Jackson’s courtship has ended, and while no one has said why, people are likely wondering if it has anything to do with Josh Duggar.
Josiah Duggar has ended his courtship with Marjorie Jackson after 4 months http://t.co/zahIhcnjLz pic.twitter.com/P7TwxZqQM3
— People (@people) August 5, 2015
The Duggar family experienced another huge blow a couple of weeks ago when TLC cancelled 19 Kids and Counting.
Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar issued a statement to ABC News regarding Josiah and Marjorie’s split.
“Both Josiah and Marjorie have enjoyed getting to know each other and to build their friendship over the past months,” the statement reads. “We are so grateful that they each are seeking the Lord’s will for their future. A few weeks ago Marjorie and Josiah agreed to end their courtship, keeping in step with what they believe the Lord’s will is. Both are thankful for the time getting to know each other, and their families continue to enjoy each other’s company and close friendship.”
Perhaps Josiah has felt some of the embarrassment and stress that the entire Duggar family has experienced in light of the Josh Duggar scandal.
Do you suppose this contributed to the end of this 19 Kids and Counting courtship?
How sad that yet another member of the 19 Kids and Counting family is experiencing heartache.