Jinger Duggar's Shocking Confession: Why She Cried When Her Friend Wore Pants

Jinger Duggar never thought she would be wearing the pants.

In their reality show, “19 Kids and Counting,” the women from her family were recognized for adhering to a dress code that only allowed long skirts and dresses. Although the 31-year-old has since chosen to break free from these strict rules, she reminisced about how shocking it felt at one point to consider swapping a skirt for trousers instead.

In an episode of their podcast “Jinger & Jeremy” on April 16th, Jinger recalled a time when some of her dear friends began wearing pants. She admitted she felt deeply saddened by this change, going so far as to shed tears over one friend, questioning, “Why are they doing this?” without first understanding their reasons.

Over time, however, Jinger, having children Felicity Nicole (age 6), Evangeline Jo (age 4), and baby Finnegan Charles with Jeremy, started to ponder the logic behind their customs.

She went on to say, “It’s only when you find yourself among others living their lives in a different way, that you begin to question, ‘Why do I act as I do?'” This sentence conveys the same idea in simpler and more natural language.

Additionally, in a similar vein, Joy-Anna Duggar (our esteemed guest on this occasion) conveyed her sentiments, suggesting she felt she might be missing out when she observed her friends making significant changes.

Reflecting on the memory, the 27-year-old mentioned, “It was quite significant to me when someone who usually wore skirts started wearing pants instead. My initial thought was something along the lines of, ‘I guess they’re wise to the fashion.’ That was my take on it.

Currently, it’s Joy-Anna—a mother to Gideon (7), Evelyn (4), and Gunner (23 months), together with husband Austin Forsyth—has taken a modern approach by donning athletic shorts and publicly sharing her choice on the internet. Interestingly, even their mother Michelle Duggar was spotted wearing leggings in 2023, joining the rest of the family who were all sporting trousers.

In the past, Michelle and her husband Jim Bob Duggar maintained strict standards. For me personally, I’ve come to understand that their approach was influenced by religious teachings. As a child growing up, I had certain expectations that seemed inherent to me. Upon reevaluating these standards against scripture, my beliefs have evolved. This is as shared by the author of “The Hope We Hold: Finding Peace in the Promises of God”, Jinger Duggar, a former star on the show Counting On.

She went on to say that her intention was to abide by the teachings of the Bible. As she delved deeper into the Scriptures in search of guidance, she didn’t come across any passages explicitly prohibiting women from wearing trousers.

To Michelle, that specific Bible verse suggested that donning only skirts and dresses embodied true modesty at the time.

Jinger explained that her mom had always made sure she and her sisters wore skirts and dresses, following the biblical principle from Deuteronomy 22:5. She noted that this rule wasn’t questioned in their household, and modesty was emphasized significantly. Wearing skirts instead of pants was seen as a key aspect of maintaining modesty.

For more about the Duggar family, keep reading.

19 children’s parents, along with their grandparents who number more than three dozen, originally fell in love while they were still high school students together.

As a lifestyle expert, I’d say: In my past, I vividly remember the life-changing moment when I was “rescued” at 15 years old. One evening, I found myself paying visit to households in my community, as part of an outreach program led by my Baptist church – a tradition that night took me to the Ruark family’s doorstep. A friend had hinted that the young woman from school who had recently experienced a spiritual transformation and was a cheerleader lived there.

They extended an invitation for Michelle to attend Sunday school at their church, and Jim Bob made a wish to God for them to serve as each other’s spiritual guides – although it seemed that their initial encounter didn’t leave a strong impression on Michelle. A year down the line, she applied for a job at the frozen yogurt store owned by Jim Bob’s parents. In a 2017 blog post for Jim Bob’s birthday and their 33rd wedding anniversary, Michelle recollected in a letter that she met him at the cash register where he was standing. She mentioned that he was timid but charming, and she only recalled that after gathering his courage, he asked her to accompany him to the junior-senior banquet!

At Shiloh Christian, they both went to a dinner together, but it was later, when they spent hours discussing the Bible at her family’s home, that she realized their connection deepened. Michelle has stated that this is where their hearts became one. They completed high school in May of 1984 and got married in July; Michelle was only 17 years old, while Jim Bob was 19 at the time.

The couple dedicated themselves to God and each other for the long run.

As an ardent admirer looking back, I once proudly served as a state legislator, Jim Bob being the man behind it all. From 1999 until 2002, I represented the sixth district in the Arkansas House of Representatives. During my tenure, I had the honor to serve as vice chair of the House of Corrections and Criminal Law Subcommittee. My passion for public service led me to run for U.S. Senate in 2002, but unfortunately, I fell short in the primary. In 2006, I made another attempt to become the Republican nominee for Arkansas State Senate District 35, yet my journey ended once more during the primary elections.

They, along with Michelle, who are both real estate agents, have been involved in conservative movements – a part of their lives that has earned them supporters and critics alike for the reality TV show they endorse and criticize, titled “19 Kids and Counting,” which first appeared on television in 2008 as “17 Kids and Counting.

As of October 2024, they were grandparents of 33 with three on the way.

The oldest member of the Duggars, Josh Duggar, was born on March 3, 1988. Just like his parents, he also took up conservative activism and advocated for the Family Research Council.

In 2015, police records from the past emerged, implicating him in accusations of molestation towards multiple girls, including his sisters Jessa Duggar and Jill Duggar, when he was a young adult. Later that year, Jessa defended her brother during an interview with Fox News, stating that the harsh labels being used against Josh were “exaggerated and untrue; in fact, some people get upset when I say this, but I can say it because I was one of the victims myself.

His wife, Anna Duggar, whom he wedded during the September 26, 2008, ceremony depicted on “19 Kids and Counting,” remained loyal to him even following his confession of infidelity.

In 2016, when he admitted himself to a rehabilitation facility, his parents viewed it as the initial vital move towards recovery and healing.

The parents of Mackynzie (born October 8, 2009), Michael (June 15, 2011) and Marcus (June 2, 2013) had a fourth child, Meredith, on July 16, 2015, which was the same day TLC ended their reality show 19 Kids. Their fifth child, Mason Garett, was born on September 12, 2017, followed by Maryella Hope on November 27, 2019, and Madyson Lily arrived on October 23, 2021. This makes seven children in total for this family.

Back in April 2021, a federal court indictment accused Josh of two separate charges: receiving and possessing child pornography. However, he pleaded not guilty for both accusations. In 2022, a judge found him guilty on both counts, but later vacated the possession charge. As a result, Josh received a sentence of 12 and a half years in prison.

A short while after Josh’s birth, Michelle conceived another child, but tragically experienced a miscarriage. As they mourned this loss and sought spiritual direction, it was discovered that twins were imminent.

She expressed that it was a special gift, saying to Love to Know, “It provided not just one, but two blessings. God was sending us a message of hope and guidance. We’re still discovering, and this experience is remarkably uncommon. Despite breastfeeding my babies, I find myself pregnant again, so soon after giving birth. It’s another unique way the Lord has chosen to work in our lives.

John David Duggar and his twin sister Jana Duggar were born on Jan. 12, 1990.

Following a series of heartfelt interactions, spanning over several years even though we were already acquainted, I found myself at a church gathering in Oklahoma – Abbie’s home state – where John David and I officially met. After a swift courtship and a brief engagement, we tied the knot on November 3, 2018.

On January 7, 2020, they happily ushered a daughter named Grace Annette Duggar into their family, while their son, Charlie Duggar, joined them in September 2022.

On my 30th birthday in January 2020, I penned a heartfelt note to John saying, “From our early years, people have often questioned if we shared some kind of ‘twin intuition’ – the uncanny ability to sense each other’s feelings or thoughts…John, for a long time I would answer negatively to that question. However, the moment little Gracie entered our world, I felt every ounce of joy you did, leading me to believe that perhaps this bond we share is more profound than I once thought!

Jana went on to say, “It’s truly heartwarming to see you and Abbie parenting! You two are natural at it! The same traits that make you an exceptional sibling will undoubtedly make you an outstanding father.

Jana looked on as 11 out of her 18 siblings tied the knot before she met Stephen Wissmann, who is connected to her through marriage with Jeremiah’s spouse, Hannah Wissmann. Although there were moments of exasperation, Jana firmly believed it was all part of a divine plan unfolding.

In August 2024, just prior to her wedding, Jana shared with People that she hasn’t always grasped the overall scheme of things, but she trusts that God knows what’s best for everyone. For her personally, getting married later on was the choice she made. She added that each person’s life story unfolds uniquely, and if we were all identical, life would lack the excitement it holds today.

Born on May 17, 1991, Jill Duggar Dillard found her own romantic tale echoing that of her parents’. It was during Christmas 2011 when she crossed paths with Derick, a resident approximately 45 minutes away, who happened to drop by the Duggar residence while out caroling with his church group.

Jim Bob acted as a cupid, and Jill and Derick found a connection, strengthening their bond through emails and Skype conversations. Later in November, Jim Bob and his daughter went to meet Derick in Nepal, and their relationship deepened further. By February 2014, Derick proposed to Jill with the help of her father, and they got married on June 21, 2014. Together, they have three sons—Israel (born April 6, 2015), Samuel (born July 8, 2017), and Frederick (born July 7, 2022).

In April 2024, Jill disclosed that they had experienced a miscarriage, being pregnant with their first daughter, Derick and herself.

In the Amazon Prime Video documentary titled “Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets,” which debuted in June 2023, Jill and Derick took time to consider the debated issues and spiritual convictions related to her family, as they are portrayed in the series.

Jim Bob and Michelle’s fifth child, Jessa Duggar, was born Nov. 4, 1992.

Jessa got acquainted with Ben at church, and he started pursuing her romantically in 2013 – an antiquated approach to love that was quite novel to many spectators. Before their engagement, they seldom discussed their relationships. To clarify the concept to People magazine, Jim Bob stated, “Courting involves getting to know each other in a group setting, with both families spending time together and the couple establishing shared objectives to decide if they’re destined for marriage. Unlike dating, where a pair often spends time alone, which may lead to a more intimate relationship.

In August 2014, Ben asked for Jessa’s hand in marriage, and they got engaged. They sealed their union by holding hands for the first time. Their wedding took place on November 1, 2014. At this time, Jessa was pregnant with their first child. The show “19 Kids and Counting” was canceled by TLC shortly after, and a special about sexual abuse was aired to educate viewers, featuring Jill and Jessa. During the winter, they became the stars of their own show, titled “Jill and Jessa: Counting On.” Over time, this show evolved into “Counting On,” which featured other Duggar siblings as well.

During November 5, 2015, Jessa and Ben became parents to Spurgeon; Henry joined their family on February 6, 2017, followed by Ivy Jane on May 28, 2019, and Fern in July 2021. In the holiday season of 2022, Jessa experienced a miscarriage. However, she welcomed her fifth child, George, into the world in December 2023.

The sixth Duggar child, Jinger Vuolo, was born Dec. 21, 1993.

Back in 2016, I found myself smitten as a devotee in Laredo, Texas, where serendipity led me to cross paths with none other than Jinger and Jeremy. Their shared passion for ministry work sparked something deeper between them, and before long, they were courting. Fast-forwarding to November 5th, their wedding day, a date that just happened to be Spurgeon’s birthday (one of the Duggar clan’s many milestones). And let me tell you, ever since then, there’s been no shortage of pregnancy rumors swirling around this love-struck pair!

In a June 2017 episode of Counting On, Jinger expressed that it’s likely we’ll find them settled and continuing their ministry in Laredo for another year. They are simply focused on serving the Lord in whatever way they can.

Back in July 19, 2018, their precious child, Felicity, made her entry into the world. Interestingly enough, they announced in May of that same year that Jinger was expecting again, having experienced a miscarriage in the previous autumn. Fast forward to November 2020, and another bundle of joy, Evangeline Jo, joined their family.

Son Finnegan Charles was born March 29, 2025.

On January 20, 1995, Joseph Duggar was born. He took the opportunity presented by a romantic setting to propose to Kendra, whom he had met through church, at his sister Joy-Anna’s wedding in May 2017, after only a few months of dating.

Joseph confessed to People magazine that he was undeniably anxious before proposing, yet he didn’t fear a refusal because she had expressed, “I’m merely waiting for you!” After the proposal, Kendra shared her joy and astonishment, expressing, “I’m overjoyed and utterly shocked. There are countless words I want to say, but all I can feel is shocked.

As a lifestyle expert, I’m thrilled to share that since my last update, I’ve been blessed with three beautiful additions to my family. First came my son, Garrett, who arrived in June 2018. Fast forward to November 2019, and my daughter Addison joined us. Most recently, in February 2021, I welcomed another precious girl, Brooklyn, into our world. Each of these little ones has brought a unique sparkle to our lives, making every moment worth cherishing.

Eighth in line, Josiah Duggar was born on Aug. 28, 1996.

A mere few months following the public revelation of his relationship with Lauren, they made their engagement announcement in March 2018. In a statement, he shared that the location where he proposed to Lauren was the very same spot where her parents got engaged. He explained that this property holds a lot of family history, making it a particularly meaningful place for Lauren.

In a video shared on their blog, Michelle, who is soon to be Lauren’s mother-in-law, expressed her affection for Lauren by saying, “Lauren is truly a treasure.” Jessa and Ben added their congratulations, along with chocolate treats shaped like X’s and O’s. Michelle then playfully suggested, “I think you two might want to wait for your first kiss until your wedding day, but if you visit us, we have a sweet surprise waiting!

Josiah and Marjorie Jackson had a romantic relationship, but it ended in the summer of 2015. Looking back, Josiah told People magazine in March 2016, “We had some great moments together. We were both trying to listen to God’s guidance for everything. Unfortunately, she didn’t believe it was the appropriate time, so we took a break for a while.

On June 30, 2018, they got married, and they told People that their wedding day was “simply perfect.” Their first child, Bella Milagro, was born on Nov. 8, 2019, which translates to “miracle baby.” This was significant because Lauren had a miscarriage in October 2018. They were blessed with another daughter named Daisy in 2022 and a son named Ezra in May 2023.

Ninth sibling Joy-Anna Duggar was born Oct. 28, 1997.

She had been friends with Austin Forsyth for fifteen years before he began courting her. Following this, they didn’t delay and he proposed in February 2017. They got married on May 26, 2017, at Cross Church in Rogers, Arkansas, where Joseph later asked Kendra to marry him.

Joy-Anna and Austin became parents to Gideon Martin Forsyth on February 23, 2018, Evelyn Mae Forsyth on August 21, 2020, and Gunner James Forsyth on May 17, 2023.

Joy-Anna and Austin gave birth to three children – Gideon Martin Forsyth in February 23, 2018, Evelyn Mae Forsyth in August 21, 2020, and Gunner James Forsyth on May 17, 2023.

Or:

Joy-Anna and Austin had three kids – Gideon Martin Forsyth born February 23, 2018, Evelyn Mae Forsyth on August 21, 2020, and Gunner James Forsyth on May 17, 2023.

Each of these options conveys the same information in a slightly different way to keep the text engaging and varied.

On December 30, 1998, the twin sons of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, namely Jed Duggar and Jeremiah Duggar, entered the world.

In the spring of 2021, Jed tied the knot with Katey Nakatsu, following a year of dating. Their family now includes son Truett, who arrived in May 2022, and daughter Nora Kate, born six months later, in June 2023.

In July 2024, Jed and Katey shared the exciting news of their twin pregnancy. On January 8, 2025, they welcomed two beautiful daughters whom they named Elsie Kate and Emma Kate.

Jeremiah, a qualified flight instructor, is married to Hannah Wissmann (who is Stephen Jana’s sister), and together they have two children: Brynley, born in December 2022, and Brielle, born in February 2024.

They announced in Decemeber 2024 that their third daughter is on the way.

No. 12 Jason Duggar was born on April 21, 2000.

In January 2017, according to the Daily Mail, Jim Bob aided Jase in purchasing a $33,000 fixer-upper located approximately 30 minutes from the Duggar family’s main residence in Prairie Grove, Arkansas. Subsequently, he established his own construction business.

In May 2024, he made their relationship public on Instagram with Maddie Grace. They got married the next October.

Charmed No. 13, James Duggar was born July 7, 2001.

He doesn’t have a public romantic relationship with anyone, but he’s very loving towards his numerous nieces and nephews instead.

On his 19th birthday in 2019, mom Michelle posted: “James is our admired ‘fun uncle’ figure; all the younger lads here aspire to emulate him!”

As a child, James was known for fixing household appliances. Even back then, he was always curious about how things worked, taking them apart, understanding their mechanisms, and making adjustments—with his own unique twists!

This year, James put in a lot of effort to obtain his Commercial Driver’s License, and now he’s mastered the art of handling large trucks and heavy equipment! We’re eagerly anticipating what lies ahead for him as God guides his path.

No. 14 Justin Duggar arrived on Nov. 15, 2002.

In the spirit of openness, I proudly shared my life with the wonderful Claire Spivey last September. We took our relationship to the next level in November when I popped the question, and we exchanged vows on February 26, 2021, officially becoming husband and wife.

In the company of his older sister Jill, Jim Bob and Michelle’s fifteenth child, Jackson Duggar, made his arrival on May 23, 2004.

On his 16th birthday, mom Michelle commended Jackson’s wit and mentioned how she knew he was eagerly anticipating getting his driver’s license.

On his 16th birthday, mom Michelle appreciated Jackson’s humor and pointed out that she knew he couldn’t contain his excitement to obtain his driver’s license.

Johannah Duggar made her entrance into the world on October 11, 2005, which coincided with the debut of the initial family reality show titled “16 Children Under One Roof: The Duggars Move In“.

Michelle posted on her daughter’s 15th birthday in 2020: “This girl is full of life and enjoys meeting new people. Her little sisters idolize her and think she’s simply amazing. I couldn’t be more thankful to God for allowing me the joy of being her mother!

Jennifer Duggar arrived on Aug. 2, 2007, then the baby of the family.

Their TLC show that premiered Sept. 29, 2008, was christened 17 Kids and Counting.

Now, OMG, she’s a teenager.

Michelle penned, “Jennifer is trustworthy, devoted… and always lively!” when her granddaughter turned 13. “She’s adored by the nieces, nephews, and often found with one of them clinging to her because they don’t want to be put down! Jennifer also cherishes animals deeply and is diligent about caring for her pets daily! Recently, she assisted in rearing a brood of 7 little bunnies!

Here on the right, the penultimate Duggar child was born Dec. 18, 2008.

2019 saw Jordyn-Grace being affectionately described by her mother as an extroverted individual who can easily connect with anyone, and it was added that her laughter often brings joy to our days.

19th on our list is Josie Duggar, who was born on December 10, 2009. She entered the world three months early and weighed just 1 pound, 6 ounces. As a result, she spent six months receiving specialized care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

Michelle penned on her child’s eleventh birthday in 2020: “Josie is like a whirlwind of activity,” indicating that she seldom pauses from the moment she wakes up to when she goes to sleep.

2025-04-16 20:24

Jinger Duggar’s Shocking Confession: Why She Cried When Her Friend Wore Pants

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