The IBLP dictates a hierarchy for families in which the father is the unquestioned authority. Children are expected not only to obey their parents, but to do so cheerfully. "Shiny Happy People" includes footage of Michelle Duggar explaining to an audience how she trains her children to sit silently in a chair with a "big old smile" to learn compliance. There's also a clip of youngest daughter Josie repeating a phrase about "instant obedience of initial prompting of God's parents" in relation to toilet training, as Michelle praises her for "self-control."
To a parent, it may seem blissful to have a child who doesn't put up a fight about cleaning their room or finishing homework. For IBLP families like the Duggars, however, there's a serious element of fear involved — children are taught that disobeying brings on God's wrath. Jinger Duggar Vuolo has spoken out about her upbringing, saying she lived in terror of being punished for any little infraction. Even accidentally overhearing a piece of forbidden music could send her into a panic.
Worse still, blind obedience can have dire consequences. Psychologist Laura Markham, Ph.D., tells Psychology Today that children raised never to question authority are susceptible to bullying, abduction, and sexual abuse. "[B]ullies and molesters select targets who they think won't stand up for themselves," she explains. Tragically, this may have been the case for the four Duggar sisters who were sexually abused by their oldest brother, Josh, as children.
