“It’s like roses and thorns, justice and grace. You can recognize the beauty and happy parts of your story while also recognizing the more difficult parts. The two can coexist. The highs aren’t automatically erased or invalidated by the lows.”
― Jill Duggar, Counting the Cost

In 2008, the world was introduced to the Duggar family, headed by parents Jim Bob and Michelle. This traditional Christian family followed the teachings of the Institute in Basic Life Principles founded by Bill Gothard. To viewers, the family presented a happy God-fearing front eventually having nineteen children who all followed a strict model of patriarchy. Men were superior, while women are discouraged from higher education and expected to become wives and mothers. They also believed in an umbrella of protection which essentially means that parental authority over children extended into adulthood overruling marriage covenants. The show stayed on the air until 2015 when an arrest shattered their world, drudging up painful memories yet again.

Jill Duggar, the responsible second daughter, never questioned her parents. When her father introduced Jill to Derick Dillard, she knew she had found her match. As the two progressed in their relationship, growing older, getting married, traveling the world, and having children of their own, Jill started noticing some red flags about her childhood, her family, and their beliefs. The two tried to be obedient and not rock the boat, but when family restrictions butted up against business commitments, Jill and Derick knew they needed to break free. The cost of staying silent was too high. Jill decided it was time to talk about the intimidation, secrets, and manipulation that were a part of her life for too long. Relying on time, therapy, and God to help them, they started the process of finding themselves outside what they had always known. Finding healing is excruciatingly difficult, but through honesty they are able to build a life all of their own. Counting the Cost is their story of breaking free.