While Counting On and its predecessor, 19 Kids and Counting, have provided a lot of insight into the infamous Duggar clan’s lifestyle, many viewers still have questions. For instance, what do the older Duggars do for a living? How are they making enough money to support all the children they have?
It would appear that none of the Duggar adults are steadily employed outside the home, which has made many followers wonder. Does Jim Bob prevent the adult children from having jobs?
If the adult Duggars do not have jobs, this would mean that family patriarch Jim Bob is supporting everybody. Even many of the Duggars that have moved out of the home seem to live on Duggar property or very close by.
With the youngest of Jim Bob and Michelle’s children being 10, they will soon have many adult families to support if things do not change in the future. Not only will they be supporting each of their children, but they will also be supporting their grandchildren. In many cases, fans suspect they already are.
So, who is doing what to support the family? Allegedly, Jim Bob and Michelle hire daughter Jessa’s husband, Ben Seewald, as a tutor for the family. Ben’s role is particularly important because the family homeschools its children at the dining room table. As it stands, the only Duggar who has broken with this tradition so far is Jill.
Joseph and Josiah Duggar are both married and have children, and it appears that they do miscellaneous work around the property for their father.
Josh Duggar was once employed by the Family Research Council until allegations of child molestation emerged. Before and after that, he seemed to run a car lot owned by Jim Bob. It is unclear exactly what he does now.
John David Duggar is a pilot, and it seems he often flies his family around the area. He was also a local constable, which is an unpaid position.
Also this year, Jed Duggar is running for office. He hopes to land a spot as an Arkansas state representative. A lot of followers, and even fans, of the Duggars have criticized this move, considering that Jed has never lived on his own and shares a room with his brothers.
So far, it appears that two couples are self-sufficient, not under the financial rule of Jim Bob.
The first couple is Jinger and Jeremy Vuolo, who now live in Los Angeles. Jeremy was once a soccer player and has been able to find work as a pastor. Jinger also appears to find sponsorships as an Instagram influencer as well.
Then, there are Jill and Derick Dillard, who live near the family home. Derick is going to law school and Jill is raising their two sons. Derick has been highly critical of Jim Bob in the past. In fact, part of Derick’s criticism has involved his financial control over the family.