In Defense Of Josh Duggar: Can A Child Be Considered A ‘Child Molester’?

Josh Duggar of TLC’s 19 Kids and Counting is under fire recently as a dark secret from his childhood has been made public. Apparently, when Josh Duggar was just 14-years-old, he admitted to his parents that he had fondled some girls, including his own sisters. The future of the Duggar family reality show is uncertain at this point, as Josh Duggar is being called a “child molester,” but let’s take a moment to look at the facts.

First of all, when this took place Josh Duggar was a child himself. Most boys in the throes of puberty are curious about the opposite sex. Though touching girls inappropriately is certainly not right, we must remember that this took place some twelve years ago, when Josh Duggar was a child.

According to CNN, Josh Duggar has addressed the issue publicly, admitting his fault and explaining how his family helped him past that time.

“Twelve years ago, as a young teenager I acted inexcusably for which I am extremely sorry and deeply regret. I hurt others, including my family and close friends. I confessed this to my parents who took several steps to help me address the situation. We spoke with the authorities where I confessed my wrongdoing and my parents arranged for me and those affected by my actions to receive counseling.”

Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar also spoke out truthfully on the event, in a posting on their Facebook page.

“Back 12 years ago our family went through one of the most difficult times of our lives. When Josh was a young teenager, he made some very bad mistakes and we were shocked… That dark and difficult time caused us to seek God like never before. Even though we would never choose to go through something so terrible, each one of our family members drew closer to God.”

In a related report by the Inquisitr, presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee, who the Duggar family staunchly supports, has come forward in the defense of Josh.

“[Josh] and his family dealt with it and were honest and open about it with the victims and the authorities. No purpose whatsoever is served by those who are now trying to discredit Josh or his family by sensationalizing the story. Good people make mistakes and do regrettable and even disgusting things. The reason that the law protects disclosure of many actions on the part of a minor is that the society has traditionally understood something that today’s blood-thirsty media does not understand—that being a minor means that one’s judgement is not mature.”

The future of 19 Kids and Counting is uncertain at this point. Mama June Shannon, of the former TLC show Here Comes Honey Boo Boo, has threatened to sue the network if they continue to air the Duggar reality series. Mama June’s show was canceled after reports surfaced that she was dating convicted sex offender Mark McDaniel, who she had also dated in the past when her older daughter, Anna Marie “Chickadee” was a child. Anna Marie was allegedly molested by McDaniel at the age of 8, which is the same age as Alana, a.k.a. Honey Boo Boo, was at the time of the show’s cancellation. To compare this scenario to that of Josh Duggar is preposterous.

There will always be those opposed to the Duggar family who will latch on to any reason to slam the Christian family, such as the recent backlash regarding a picture of Jill Duggar and newborn Israel, in which Jill was accused of holding him incorrectly in the baby wrap.

Do you think the reputation of Josh Duggar should be ruined due to something that happened when he was a child? Do you think the Duggar family series should be canceled?

[Image via ET Online]