'The Seewalds made an impression on me': Jinger Duggar reveals how brother-in-law Ben Seewald's family made her rethink life
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Jinger Duggar Vuolo, the sixth child of the controversial Duggar family, has opened up on her strict upbringing and the role her brother-in-law played in helping her to break free. This remarkable admission was made by Jinger in her most recent book, 'Becoming Free Indeed', which was launched on Tuesday, January 31.
The primary focus of the book is how Jinger came to rethink the conflicting ideas and find true freedom through her Christian faith. However, she admitted that she didn't start doubting her religion until her sister Jessa Lauren Seewald's husband, Ben Seewald, 27, entered the picture. The 29-year-old revealed that while she accompanied Jessa and Ben throughout their courting, she was curious about how Ben's Christian family lived differently from her own, which was mandated by her parents Jim Bob Duggar and Michelle Duggar.
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Conversations with Ben were the first step for Jinger's journey to untangle 'wrong beliefs'
Jinger wrote, "The Seewalds made an impression on me, specifically because they didn't dress the same way I did. The women wore pants. They listened to music I didn't. Ben and his siblings were homeschooled like we were, but they were part of homeschooled co-ops. The girls worked outside the home."
Jinger added, "So much of their lifestyle and decisions didn't line up with how I thought Christians ought to live." The 'Counting On' alum noted that she would listen to Ben's unique method of approaching Bible study during services at his church, which caused her to question everything she had previously believed.
"My conversations with the Seewalds were the first step in my journey of disentangling wrong beliefs," Jinger wrote. She also recently admitted to following her family's harsh rules out of "fear" in an interview with People. "I thought I had to wear only skirts and dresses to please God," Jinger said about the unusual dress code she and her siblings were required to adhere to.
Who are Ben Seewalds' parents?
Ben Seewald's parents are Michael Seewald, the father, and Guinn Seewald, the mother. Guinn and Michael were married on August 6, 1994; they have a combined family of seven children and four grandchildren.
Ben is their firstborn, followed by Jessica Lane as their second child, Danielle Grace as their third child, Michelle Alaine as their fourth child, Ethan Matthew as their fifth child, Faith Elisabeth as their sixth child, and Thomas Jackson as their seventh child.