Over the course of their many years in the spotlight, the Duggar family has frequently been criticized for the unorthodox fashion in which they choose to raise their children.
Some of this criticism is unfounded, such as when Jessa Duggar was chastised for living too close to a freeway, and thus — her detractors claimed — putting her children in harm’s way.
But sadly, there’s legitimate reason for fans to be concerned about the Duggars’ child-rearing practices.
Fears that Jim Bob and Michelle’s famously strict approach to parenting often crosses the line into abuse have been prevalent for years.
These days, those fears are compounded by concerns that the couple’s grown children are carrying on their legacy of neglect and violence.
Duggar watchers have been especially vocal about those concerns in recent weeks due to a number of troubling signs.
The video above was taken by many as an indicator that the fear of "sparing the rod" has been passed down to a new generation of Duggars.
In the clip, Jill Duggar adopts a very stern tone when addressing her fussy toddler.
On its own, the video may not seem terribly objectionable, but the footage has led many fans to the same question:
If that’s the type of interaction she posts on social media, how does Jill treat her kids when the cameras aren’t rolling?
The speculation has been particularly intense following the revelation that the Duggars are still associating themselves with Debi and Michael Pearl.
If you’re a longtime follower of the Counting On clan, then you’re probably aware that the Pearls are child-rearing "experts" who espouse some very controversial views.
For one thing, the Pearls are outspoken advocates of some extreme forms of corporal punishment.
The authors encourage their readers to engage in such barbaric activities as "blanket training," in which children as young as six months old are struck with blunt objects if they move from a blanket on which they were told to remain seated.
According to the New York Times, copies of the Pearls’ best-known book were found in the homes of two different children who died after being abused by their parents.
While the Duggars have never admitted to striking their children, they also have not shied away from publicly supporting the Pearls.
In fact, the controversial couple was recently invited to speak at an event hosted by the parents of Joy-Anna Duggar’s husband, Austin Forsyth.
These are just the latest in a long line of Duggar parenting controversies, and based on reactions on social media, concern among fans seems to be growing at an exponential rate.
