Time passes

I dont seem able to keep this blog going which is a pity.
I have now carried out three interviews and one thing that strikes me is how different each person's experience of childhood in the brethren is. If I consider my experience too, there seem to be so far three different ways in which parents mediate the teachings of the brethren.

1. The teachings are so strictly held that the child grows up believing there is only one perspective, does not realise there are many different ways of looking at things, does not even think about the possibility of leaving, is not aware at all that such a possibility exists, but instead is soundly indoctrinated, living sometimes in fear of getting it wrong.

2. The teachings are interpreted and not so strongly inculcated, independent thought is encouraged as is education, different perspectives are discussed in the home. The person may or may not realise that they can leave and will leave

3 Some are aware early on that they will leave one day and until they are old enough to do so they live with inner conflict as battles rage between what the brethren teach is right so it must be right, and what the child feels is right - which therefore must be wrong but it doesn't feel wrong. The battle is between the indoctrinated self and the real self. The life led is a double one.

These are of course summaries and generalisations - many probably experience more than one.

Of course I am sure there are other scenarios.
I would like to interview someone who falls nearest to situation 1 if possible.

It is not easy interviewing people I know I have realised - maybe they find it difficult too as they are talking about things that perhaps they would not ordinarily share with me. i wonder if perhaps knowing me means they hold back though there have been no signs that they have.

Comments more than welcome!
Jill