I think it’s hard for people who didn’t grow up in a conservative church to realize what an influence people like the Duggars have. In secular culture they’re just a blip on the radar, those the weirdos who popped out a ton of kids and don’t believe in evolution, but when you grow up and are discouraged to have secular role models, these are the kinda people they present as the alternative.
The Duggar Girls and others like them are the Kardashian/Jenners of conservative christian-girl instagram culture. They read their books in book clubs, they have them come talk at events even after J***’s whole shit show. I’m saying this from experience and my church wasn’t even IBLP affiliated or anywhere near as conservative.
The Bates are gaining popularity, like Carlin and Josie etc on social media but idk people just don’t talk about them like they do the Duggars. The only similarly idolized christian celebs I can think of are like, Tim Tebow. Maybe the Gaines family sometimes.
Edit: The Bates are really popular don’t get me wrong, mostly because it’s easier for secular culture to digest them, but the Duggs have had their claws dug in for way longer.