I like John David and he seems like is a nice, quiet young man.

But I was a bit turned off when the producers kept going on about his work ethic.

This is a young man who does not seem to hold a real job (he took a month long "vacation" with his family this summer, among many other trips). You never see him at the car lot. He does not have a mortgage or any bills.

His meals are all prepared for him by his sisters. His clothes are washed for him by his sisters. His home is cleaned for him by his sisters. His sisters also have the 24/7 job of caring for his siblings.

On the bus this summer, he was able to sleep alone in his own bunk, while his sisters had to sleep with a little squirming sibling.

If we are going to praise anyone's work ethic, I think it should be Jana, Jill, Jessa and Jinger. Not someone who cuts down a tree.

Again, I like John David, but it's sad the way the girls' constant work is taken for granted, and John David is praised for doing yard work.

I have to wonder how John David spent the evening, after he cut down the tree. Perhaps he ate a meal his sisters prepared, then left to relax.

Meanwhile, his sisters cleaned up the kitchen, got things ready for breakfast, rounded up the little kids, bathed them, washed them and put them to bed (putting them to bed can take two hours, according to the show).

Some of those little kids sleep with the older girls, so even at night they have a little child with them.

John David, however, gets to relax in his own bed. He did cut down a tree, after all.

You are absolutely right. In comparison to his father and oldest brother, John David has a superior work ethic. In comparison with his sisters, not so much. John David does not seem to have the same sense of entitlement his father and oldest brother have. The attitude of "Wait on me! I'm the MAN!" It will be interesting to see how the younger boys turn out.

I think John David does alot more than is shown. I believe he is gone during the day so that implies he does do outside work - perhaps for Josh, perhaps witht the towing co.

They also have several acres so he likely helps maintain that (although they did show Joseph mowing with the tractor recently)

I would assume he also helps maintain the vehicles(changes oil, tunes up engines, etc.) since he seems to have knowledge about mechanics) He also has been shown operating heavy equipment so he must have needed to learn those skills at some point and gained work experience with that too.

Yes, the girls do tons of work - and we all see or are told about it. But I think JD must have quite a bit of responsibility as well - perhaps just not family related? And JD did mention that he learned alot from his dad and his work ethic. My thought on that is that JB must have done alot more physical stuff in the past than what is indicated now. (Oh, and I've been meaning to mention this as well. Since we're told they earn income from rentals/comercial real estate I assume they have property managers to take care of the work involved. That is why they were able to be gone for over a month - others actually manage the properties for them. At least that's what I assume!)

John David though seems to be the one who does a ton of the manual labor work. I know when they were doing the Bates home, it seemed John David was doing a lot of the work. I think he has a lot of that put on him. I know the Duggars from what is seen on the show, seem to feel that kids will be kids and can run all over the place, from home to stores etc, and that I disagree with but John David does not seem like that to me. I do think though the girls are the hardest workers because of what it appears to be they do all the housework, cooking and constant child care. I mean maybe when cameras are not rolling who knows but I just truly get the impression that Michelle gives birth then passes them along to the girls. If that is all the girls know, then that is what they will do

quote:

Originally posted by cporange:
I mean maybe when cameras are not rolling who knows but I just truly get the impression that Michelle gives birth then passes them along to the girls. If that is all the girls know, then that is what they will do

That is what I find so sad about this system of beliefs. The girls have way too much tedious work.

quote:

Originally posted by marie307:

quote:

Originally posted by cporange:
I mean maybe when cameras are not rolling who knows but I just truly get the impression that Michelle gives birth then passes them along to the girls. If that is all the girls know, then that is what they will do

That is what I find so sad about this system of beliefs. The girls have way too much tedious work.

And no opportunity to be teenagers/young women and do what normal teenagers/young women do...college, shopping, movies, hanging out with friends, sleepovers, etc.

I don't think John David is lazy but I still don't think he does the amount of work the girls do.

His work is only from sun to sun but the girls work is never done!!

[QUOTE]Originally posted by momtombh:
I don't think John David is lazy but I still don't think he does the amount of work the girls do.

Unless we are not shown everything he does; I agree. I don't see anyone working as hard or as long as the older daughters. Their "jurisdictions" seem endless.

quote:

Originally posted by momtombh:
I don't think John David is lazy but I still don't think he does the amount of work the girls do.

His work is only from sun to sun but the girls work is never done!!

I doubt he works "from sun to sun".

He took a monthlong "vacation" this summer, not to mention numerous other trips. Seemed like all he did was drive the bus, do some occasional maintenance, and show up at the TLC photo ops.

The girls have no vacation from taking care of little children and babies.

quote:

Originally posted by pamelaa:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by momtombh:
I don't think John David is lazy but I still don't think he does the amount of work the girls do.

Unless we are not shown everything he does; I agree. I don't see anyone working as hard or as long as the older daughters. Their "jurisdictions" seem endless.

I agree. I do think that Jon David does work, and I don't doubt that he has a good work ethic. But I do think that the girl's do not get the credit that they deserve. Those girls work their tales off, both parenting and taking care of the house, and no one goes on and on about their work ethic.

quote:

I doubt he works "from sun to sun".

i don't think they work from sun to sun either. in many episodes it has been stated they don't get up very early.
it seems they get up when the urge come to get up, at least for some.
I am sure the older girls don't mind the younger ones sleeping in. less time to babysit them.
i don't think any of them particualrly care to get up for the Today show's and interviews because they have to get up so early. poor kids. not everyone has to be at an interview.
but i suppose it is more money for them if they all show up. or it is in the contract somehow.