<P> On May 22, 2015, TLC suspended the series when the Duggars' eldest son Josh publicly apologized for having "acted inexcusably" following reports that he molested five girls, including some of his sisters, by fondling them . These events occurred in 2002 and 2003, when he was 14 to 15 years of age, and prior to the beginning of the show . On July 16, 2015, TLC (The Learning Channel) announced that the show was officially canceled and would not resume production . A spin - off show, Counting On, aired in December 2015 and the fourth season premiered June 12, 2017 . </P> <P> The Duggars live in Tontitown, Arkansas, near Springdale, and originally appeared in several TLC and Discovery Health one - hour specials, mostly focused on four of Michelle's last five deliveries . Jim Bob Duggar has an older sister, Deanna, who occasionally appears on the show . Michelle Duggar (née Ruark) has six older siblings (Pamela Ethel, Kathie Ann, Evelyn Alice, Carolyn Jeannite, Freda Louise, and Garrett Floyd Jr .). The couple met in the early 1980s when Duggar and a fellow church member were sent for a follow - up visit after Michelle experienced a religious conversion . The Duggars were married on July 21, 1984, just after Michelle's high school graduation . When they married, she was 17 and he was 19; neither attended college . Together they first launched a used - car business, then towing and real estate businesses, and both are licensed real estate agents . </P> <P> The Duggars initially chose to wait before having children and used birth control pills in the early years of their marriage . Their eldest child, Joshua, was born in 1988 . They resumed using oral contraceptives after his birth but conceived again despite this precaution . Michelle miscarried . She has mentioned that they named that child Caleb, despite not knowing the baby's gender . After consulting a doctor, the Duggars learned that birth control can in some cases allow conception but cause miscarriage . As a result, they decided to stop using birth control and allow God to determine the number of children they would have . Michelle soon became pregnant again, this time with her first set of twins, Jana and John - David . Michelle gave birth 17 times (twice with twins) over a period of 21 and a half years, approximately one birth every 15 months on average . </P> <P> The Duggars are devout independent Baptists . They only watch programs they consider to be wholesome family television and various historical events . Their Internet service is filtered . They adhere to certain standards of modesty in clothing in accordance with their religious beliefs . Shorts and tank tops are prohibited, and the women do not wear skirts that go above the knee . According to Michelle Duggar, such standards are mandated by scripture . They believe that baring the thigh is "nakedness and shame", and runs the risk of "defrauding" others--or stirring up and arousing "desires in someone else that cannot be righteously fulfilled ." They avoid beaches and public swimming areas "because it's just too hard for the guys to try to keep their eyes averted in those situations ." Female family members keep their hair long, and males are clean - shaven and short - haired . They practice chaperoned courtship, where the couple gets to know each other in a group setting . The Duggars describe this as "dating with a purpose" and the Daily Mail describes it as a "G - rated alternative to dating ." </P>

How many sets of twins do the duggars have