Joy Duggar Forsyth took to Instagram this week for a Q&A with fans, during which the former Counting On star opened up about babies, being on reality TV, breaking with Duggar tradition by wearing pants and more.
As those familiar with the Duggar family already know, Joy is one of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar’s 19 children and is a mom to three children of her own. When asked by a fan this week if she has “any desire” to follow in her parents’ footsteps by breaking out the trusty Duggar birthing tarp another 16 times, Joy confirmed that she doesn’t plan to become a mom of 19. She does, however, seem to be open to the idea to shooting out a few more blessings.
“No, not 19… 😅,” Joy wrote. “I want to be able to effectively & intentionally raise for my kids for Jesus so whatever number that is for us. Maybe 4 or 5.”
Like Joy, Jinger Duggar Vuolo and Jill Duggar Dillard have also spoken against Jim Bob and Michelle’s beliefs when it comes to having children. Jinger revealed on her podcast in October that she no longer subscribes to the “have as many kids as possible” way of thinking that she was raised to believe, while Jill and husband Derick Dillard shocked fans in October 2020 when they revealed they were using birth control to prevent pregnancy, less than a year after admitting to fans they weren’t against doing so.
Whether or not Joy and Austin ultimately decide to continue growing their family, fans shouldn’t expect to see the Forsyth Family return to TV in the future, as Joy confirmed this week that appearing on another reality TV show is something she has no interest in.
“No, I have no desire to do it again,” she told fans.
Joy’s thoughts on making a reality TV comeback are similar to those of older sister Jinger, who revealed on her podcast in January that she most likely wouldn’t return to TV, telling husband Jeremy Vuolo that “being able to live your life and not think twice” about being on camera is “a good change.”
While many of the questions Joy chose to answer during her Q&A this week were about family, she also took a moment to address her fashion choices–- specifically the fact that she–- like many of the adult Duggar daughters– decided in recent years to break with Duggar tradition by occasionally swapping out her modest skirts and dresses for pants.
According to Joy, entering her pants era was “a long and thoughtful decision” that she and Austin made together and prayed about a lot.
“It might sound crazy to some of you, but we did put a lot of prayer into our decision (for a couple of years),” she wrote.
Joy went on to explain that a lot of consideration went into her their decision because she had never worn pants before and because she and Austin “were both taught that pants were immodest.”
“We didn’t want to rush into a decision or go back and forth,” she wrote. “We took our time and went back to the Bible to study it & see WHAT DOES GOD SAY.
“My decision wasn’t one of rebellion against the way I was raised & I don’t have any bitterness because I wore skirts my whole childhood,” she continued, assuring fans that wearing skirts never held her back from doing what she wanted to do.
Joy concluded her prolix pants response by stating that she believes “modesty is an issue of the heart,” and asking fans why they choose to dress the way they dress.
RELATED STORY: Jinger Vuolo Says She Isn’t Mad at Parents Jim Bob & Michelle Duggar for Raising Her in IBLP Cult: “They Did Their Best”
(Photos: Instagram; TLC)
2 Responses
Weird. Baggy pants are the most modest clothes I can think of. In a skirt your privates are flapping around under there, who knows if you’re even wearing underwear? 😁
It’s hard for me to understand how someone can live their life and raise kids when a decision like wearing pants takes two years, multiple discussions, several prayers and ultimately becomes a couple decision. Like, how do you raise your kids and live your life like that?