Jessa Duggar, the third daughter of Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar, has entered into a courtship with a boy from the family’s church and talks a bit about her family’s strict relationship rules in a new book co-written with her sisters.

The Duggar girls are forbidden from dating in the sense that most of us are familiar with; they must first enter a “courtship” with a boy, which includes chaperoned get-togethers and no kissing or other touching, other than what they call “side-hugs“. The family, who rose to fame on TLC when they were profiled for a one-off special that became a hit reality series, does not believe in birth control or sex before marriage and have strict guidelines regarding their teenagers and relationships.

“It’s easy to put yourself into physical and moral danger and give into those emotions or sensual thoughts that promise pleasant, but only temporary, fulfillment. By censoring our thoughts through the filter of God’s word, we will be able to recant any wrong thoughts or temptations that try to sneak in,” the sisters say in their book, “Growing Up Duggar”.

As for Jessa and her friend Ben Seewald, mom Michelle says the two are enjoying spending time together.

“Dad allowed them to do a side hug when they were officially courting,” Michelle said.. “Jessa and Ben have said that was the only contact they would have, when they initially greet each other, when he comes to visit for their first hello, they have a quick 30 second or less side hug and a goodbye side hug and they agreed that would be the only contact they should have.”

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