This show is fascinating, yet at the same time very difficult to watch, as it highlights the vicious cycle of large conservative rural Christian families. In this reality series, we meet the Bates who have upwards of 19 children, living on faith alone with some help from the father's local tree trimming business. The daughters of this family are expected to marry as soon as possible, most often at the age of 18 to their teenage boyfriends. Family events revolve heavily around religious holidays, weddings, and the births of grandchildren and these are typically the events shown in the episodes.
The sons are expected to work as soon as possible, often as young as 14 and without pay, at the father's tree trimming business. Once they have their own independent jobs, it's expected that their income will be routed back to the main family to help the younger children. Higher education for the sons is never ever spoken and unheard of for the daughters.
The episodes tend to offset this type of life by always showing everyone happy and the family in good spirits. Only seldom is it mentioned the family is often in dire financial straits, unable to pay for basic necessities, and often in need of help from extended family or the community. Add to it a hardcore conservative Christian environment, where outsiders and different ideas are simply not tolerated, and the series leaves one feeling very sorry for this family, especially the children who have known no other lifestyle and really don't have much hope for a productive future.
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