Jinger Duggar’s comments about seeking guidance from older women have sparked a fresh wave of discussion among Duggar family critics, with some wondering whether her desire for mentorship reflects something she felt was missing while growing up.
During a recent episode of The Jinger & Jeremy Podcast, Jinger spoke openly with her younger sister Joy-Anna Duggar about friendship, adulthood and the importance of having trusted people outside the family.
Jinger explained that since moving to California and living far away from her family in Arkansas, she has come to appreciate relationships with older women who can offer wisdom and guidance.
She described having an “older mentor” who has been particularly helpful during different stages of her life.
“It feels like a godly older mentor,” Jinger said, explaining that the relationship has given her “wisdom and care” while she navigates life away from her family.
She also emphasized the importance of trust and having people around her who are genuine rather than motivated by gossip or appearances.
Joy-Anna agreed that trust is an important part of friendship.
But Jinger’s comments quickly caught the attention of people who have followed the Duggar family for years.
Some critics questioned why Jinger appears to place such value on guidance from older women when her mother, Michelle Duggar, is still part of her life.
One Reddit commenter suggested that growing up in an extremely large family may have meant Jinger did not receive as much individual attention from her mother as she needed.
Another person said that seeking advice from older friends is not necessarily unusual, particularly for adults who did not feel comfortable turning to their parents for guidance.
Still, the discussion highlights a broader issue surrounding the Duggar children’s upbringing.
Jim Bob and Michelle raised 19 children while following strict religious practices, including the well-known “buddy system,” in which older children helped care for younger siblings. The family’s lifestyle, homeschooling and emphasis on religious rules were frequently featured on 19 Kids and Counting and later became subjects of intense public scrutiny.
Jinger has previously spoken about how leaving that environment changed her perspective on many aspects of her childhood.
And now, her comments about older female mentors have some critics wondering whether she is finding in these relationships the kind of guidance and emotional connection she wished she had received growing up.
Jinger herself did not say that her relationship with Michelle is lacking, nor did she directly criticize her mother during the podcast.
Instead, she simply described how meaningful it has been to have older women in her life who can offer perspective, wisdom and support.
Joy-Anna also revealed something striking during the conversation.
She said that she did not fully understand the importance of friendship until after she was married.
According to Joy, she eventually realized that she needed “people besides just a sibling” in her life.
She also credited her husband, Austin Forsyth, with helping her mature after they married, admitting that she had once been almost constantly attached to him.
For two sisters who grew up surrounded by 18 siblings, their reflections suggest that adulthood has changed the way they understand relationships.
What once seemed normal — relying primarily on siblings for companionship and support — may look very different now that they are raising families of their own.
And Jinger’s desire for an older female mentor has left some fans asking an uncomfortable question:
Is she simply building healthy friendships as an adult — or is she quietly searching for something she never felt she had growing up?
