What's up with the "Counting On" family and child brides? The Reality TV mega-parents just added another to their collection of underage engagements. Josiah Duggar, 21, is officially courting Lauren Swanson, 18. She joins Josh Duggar, Joy-Anna Duggar Forsyth, Jinger Duggar Vuolo, Ben Seewald (husband of Jessa), and Kendra Caldwell who were each 18-19 when they courted or wed. Fans of the original show "19 Kids and Counting" have mixed feelings about these marriages between minors. A report by Yahoo! provided a lot of the details used in this article.

It was a teenage wedding and the Duggars wished them well

Josh was 20 when he wed Anna Keller and in his teens when they courted on "19 Kids and Counting." When Jill Duggar married Derick Dillard, they were over the age of majority, but Ben Seewald was just 19 when he married Jessa Duggar. Joy-Anna and Austin Forsyth were both minors. Jeremy Vuolo and Jinger Duggar were the oldest, at 28 and 22. Now, the "Counting On" Duggar family seems to be back to robbing the cradle, with Josiah dating an 18-year-old and Joseph Duggar marrying one.

19 kid brides and counting

Of course, Josiah and Lauren may not wed immediately. But the trajectory from winning Jim Bob Duggar's approval to tying the knot has been a short one in the "Counting On" family.

And the age of the girls seems to be getting younger. The reality TV clan of "19 Kids and Counting" has been criticized for courtship rules that disallow touching, yet allow teenagers to court and marry. Michelle Duggar starts grooming girls young, with weight loss and dolling up to secure a husband.

What about Jana Duggar?

On the other end of the spectrum are the 28-year-old twins John-David and Jana Duggar.

The second and third eldest of the "19 Kids and Counting" group are still single and live at home. Children on the reality television family are forced to remain home until marriage. It seems. Folks have made parallels between David and Louise Turpin, who literally shackled their 13 children. People were surprised that the eldest seven Turpin kids are adults, ages 21-29.

"Counting On" parents cut John-David Duggar slack, but they've teased Jana for being unwed.

Early to wed, early to bed?

Another concern about the TLC Celebrities is that girls wed young and have children early. Joy-Anna, 19, and Austin Forsyth are expecting a baby months before their first anniversary. Joe and Kendra Duggar got pregnant very shortly after their nuptials. It's been said that the "Counting On" Duggars play a dangerous game, rushing their "19 Kids and Counting" group up the altar and into parenthood. Many suggest Josh Duggar's pedophilia, sexual addiction, cheating, and Ashley Madison scandal are a direct result.
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