Three days on...

I am on a bit of annual leave and had hoped to get this research kick-started during this time but as often happens with the best laid plans, life gets in the way.

Recently a young man whom I have been in contact with for some time has finally managed to leave his parents home and the brethren. It is fascinating to watch the process he is going through particualarly in relation to how he feels about leaving his family especially his mother. Lots of parallels to my own life right now so I have lots of empathy for his mother but also because I remember leaving the brethren myself, lots for him too.

I think maybe it is because I know this research is going to be hard for me that I am allowing even minor events to intervene. I am going to have to think about this and find ways to enable me to focus. There is so little research out there on people brought up in cults and other high demand organisations - so little for me to read and learn from.

As this is a fairly serious blog with a specific purpose in mind, I have decided for the moment at least to moderate any comments posted. The second anonymous is correct, this blog is partly to fulfil the reflexivity requirement of my programme. Those who are not interested therefore do not have to read it. We all have choices



I feel alone with this and am hoping that this blog will attract other researchers in a similar field.

It hurts ...

Started reading some of the many papers I have collected recently - and now my head hurts. How am I to get through all of this reading if I cant get through more than 3 papers at a time.

I have been reading about the importance of developing the ability to think critically, to develop a positive self concept and about autonomy as opposed to heteronomy. Somehow I have to find a way to organise all these related concepts.

It seems to me sometimes that everything I read is relevant to being brought up in a high demand organisation (or cult). It feels somewhat overwhelming

Perhaps I am getting too old for this! or maybe it is all too close to my own experiences?