True... but then again, it's still a lot better life than many teens have.. to be with a loving family and socializing with your siblings. Plus, if they have this kind of responsbility, it can help keep them out of trouble. I truly believe that the 'idle hands are the devil's workshop' holds true with many American kids today.. and I think we should bring back child labor (to some degree). It's clear that many of the problems that Western young people have is that they have too much idle time, too much material 'stuff', no responsiblity, nothing to do except go hang out at the mall, and even more today-- play violent video games, watch TV, texting their friends, chatting about nothing on MySpace, etc.
Working on the family farm or in the family business used to keep a lot of kids busy, taught them the value of work... and now so many of these have gone kaput. Now even rural kids often have little to do, so they get a job at Wal-Mart (well at least they are working) or get involved with drugs.
Are we really better off now....? I think work (like babysitting your siblings) gives structure, discipline and responsbility to their lives... and also valuable socialization and child-rearing skills.. and a lot of kids don't have this chance. I can't say for sure but it seems like the Duggars would make sure that their teenage kids are able to mingle with other kids their age (structured, of course.. not hanging out with boys in the Dairy Queen parking lot.. LOL), go to teen events, etc.
