The Duggar family's unusual dating rules have been well documented, even before the Arkansans were embroiled in scandals.
Once Josh Duggar's child molestation history - and rampant adultery - was exposed, they've been under a microscope since.
Yet, despite his hypocrisy, and the fact that their every move is under heavy scrutiny, the family continues to weather the storm.
TLC axed 19 Kids & Counting, only to quickly come back with Counting On, featuring the same Duggars and the same beliefs.
Well, sans Josh. That's a bridge too far for even the hardest core believers. But when it comes to core values, they stand firm.
Their belief system certainly requires real conviction in order to practice, since their list of policies for love and life is not short.
Despite Joy-Anna Duggar breaking rules, or signs of hope like Jinger rebelling and Jill distancing herself, the rules are no joke.
Here are 21 things the Duggars specifically do not allow ...
1. Dates Without Chaperones
The Duggar parents often accompany their kids on dates in order to maintain "accountability" and "keep things from going in the wrong direction," per Jim Bob. The girls are fine with this, as being alone with men puts them in grave "moral danger." When the parents aren't available, their older siblings will often tag along, making every date a group date and a family affair.
2. Non-Group Texts
Even in the kids' late teens and early 20s, mom and dad are creeping on their text messages. When Ben Seewald jokingly wrote to fiancee Jessa, "Give me a ring," Jim Bob actually jumped in on the group text, writing "No ring yet." With a smiley face emoticon. Seriously, he did that. Whatever you think of him, Jim Bob needs his own Instagram so he can start posting screen shots of this stuff.
3. Hugs on the Chest
This moment you see here between Jill Duggar and Derick Dillard would not have been permitted until the couple was married. Side hugs are the preferred method of PDA in order to prevent any further temptation or "hanky panky," as has been well documented on 19 Kids and Counting. The Duggars love their side hugs so hard ... though not too too hard, lest they lead to full-frontal hugging. And any touching beyond that? Save it for your wedding night.
4. Riding in Cars Together
It’s no secret that the Duggars have strict dating rules. We've talked about some already and there are plenty more to come on this list. But one of the most bizarre was revealed only recently in an episode in which Joseph and Kendra Caldwell officially started courting. They were seen in a car, driving together ... with one of the younger Duggar sitting in between them in the front seat of a pickup truck. Shortly after the courtship "proposal," she was allowed to slide almost all the way over to Joseph. Not close enough for any inappropriate touching, obviously, but without another dude in between, which is mandatory during the “just friends” phase. Wow.
5. Co-Ed Hide and Seek
In the wake of the Josh Duggar molestation scandal going public years later, Jim Bob and Michelle gave in interview in which they talked about all of the things they did in its aftermath. In between blaming Josh’s indiscretions on being a curious pubescent boy, they discussed family rules that resulted from this, such as the children no longer being allowed to play co-ed hide and seek. That's right, no two children regardless of age are allowed to go off alone, even in the context of this childhood pastime. How much that really helps the situation they were responding to remains to be seen.
6. Alcohol
This is probably an obvious one if you know anything about the Duggars. The family does not smoke or drink. They do, however, enjoy the occasional sugary dessert or getting high on life and love.
