'Counting On' News: Which Duggar Sibling Is Interested in Entering the World of Politics?

Joy-Anna Duggar smiles for the camera during her 19th birthday celebration at the MarketPlace Grill.(Duggar Family Blog)

The Duggar family from the TLC shows "19 Kids and Counting" and "Counting On" are no strangers to the political realm. After all, their patriarch Jim Bob Duggar served the Arkansas House of Representatives from 1999 to 2002, and his sons and daughters would sometimes tag along with him to work.

But out of all his children, who among them would like to follow their father's footsteps? Jill and Jessa are both happily married with children, and do not seem inclined to join politics. Jinger is going to follow suit as she plans to marry Jeremy Vuolo. Twins Jana and John-David seem content running the family businesses, while eldest son Josh is laying low after being rocked by two scandals last year.

Surprisingly, Duggar number 9 Joy-Anna is the one who has dreams of joining the political arena. The information was shared in the Duggar Family Blog as the teenager celebrated her birthday.

"Wishing Joy-Anna Duggar a happy 19th birthday! Now that she has graduated from high school, Joy-Joy (as her family calls her) spends her days taking online Bible classes and helping out at home. Her future goals are to be involved in missions and politics, as well as to be a wife and mother," the post reads.

This birthday greeting led fans to debate about the educational and career opportunities facing the Duggar girls. "All of the Duggars, especially the daughters, seem to have the same goals. There's nothing wrong with being a missionary, wife and mother, but I wonder if any of the members of this family have had other aspirations that would involve leaving home, getting a post-secondary education, establishing a career, and becoming independent," a concerned fan wrote. "Are they discouraged from doing this? It looks as though their opportunities are strictly limited."

A different fan weighed in: "I sensed sadness in the group interview when Joy said she wasn't going to college like [her] friends, but would be at home taking online Bible classes and helping raise the younger kids. I think she may marry soon to expand her horizons."