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Growing Up in The Family: Challenges and Insights of the Second Generation

Explore the experiences and challenges faced by the second generation of The Family, a new religious movement, as they navigate relationships, beliefs, and life after leaving. This study delves into the impact of communal living, sexual practices, and adjusting to mainstream society.

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Growing Up in The Family: Challenges and Insights of the Second Generation

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  1. Growing Up in A New Religious Movement: A Study of the Second Generation of The Family

  2. The Second Generation • Second Generation is the future of new religious movements (NRMs) • Will they adopt or question their parents’ ideals? • How do they feel about being in a NRM?

  3. Who is The Family? • Founded in 1968 as the Children of God • Early Christians • Communal living • Dedicated to spreading the Word of God • Current membership of 12,000 world wide

  4. David Berg (1919 – 1994) • Founder and absolute leader • Modern day prophet from God • Spoke to his people through MO Letters

  5. Beliefs and Practices • Communal Living • Combo’s, Teen Homes • Perception of the Outside • Us vs. Them • Education • End-time • Discipline • Corporal Punishment • Silence Restriction

  6. Sexual Practices • Sexual beliefs followed Berg’s • Sex and Christianity • MO Letters • “One Wife” (1972) • “Flirty Little Fish” (1974) • “The Devil Hates Sex but God Loves It!” (1980)

  7. Sexual Practices Concerning Children • Sexual acts among children • Sexual acts between adults and children • Publications • Book of Davidito (late 1970s) • Basic Training Handbook (1986) • Heaven’s Girl (late 1980s)

  8. The Love Charter • Published in 1995 – new leadership • Changes in Practices • Second-generation • Education • Sex

  9. Methods • Criteria • Former second-generation members • Interviews • Face to face • Phone • Email

  10. Sample Demographics • 12 Subjects • 4 Female 8 Male • Current Ages: 19 – 30 • All Caucasian except for one Asian • Nine of the participants mentioned having been sexually abused before the age of 18 • Three of the participants mentioned being physically abused • Six of the participants have family or close friends who are still members

  11. Themes • Relationship with Parents • Relationship with Siblings • Relationship with Relatives • Adjusting to a New Life

  12. Relationship with ParentsSeparation From Parents • Living Situation • Combo’s • Everyone is family • When a Parent leaves the Family • Back-sliders • Minimal to no contact allowed

  13. Relationship with ParentsCommunication after leaving the Family • Parents are still in the Family • Conflicting Beliefs • Minimal Contact • Starting a New Life • Parents are out of the Family • Parents show no Remorse • Parents show Remorse • Hard to forgive

  14. Relationship with Siblings • While in the Family • Separation • After leaving the Family • Siblings still in the Family • Different views and beliefs • Siblings out of the Family • Provide Support

  15. Relationship with Relatives • Separated from Relatives outside of the Family • Hard to Rebuild Relationships once Subjects left the Family • Lack of Extended Family Network • Support for Subjects if Relationship was healthy

  16. Going into the System Relating with non-members Sharing their experiences with non-members Lacking Necessary Skills “A child is raised in a communist sex cult and brainwashed into believing that the Family lifestyle is superior to that of the outside world. At age 13, after a lifetime of isolation, indoctrination and abuse, he is allowed to attend a public high school.” Adjusting to Mainstream Society

  17. Conclusion • Effects of the Family on Relationships • Adjusting • Feeling about the Family • What could have helped

  18. Acknowledgements • Participants in my Study • Dr. Ben Feinberg • Dr. Siti Kusujiarti • My mother Ricky Rodriguez (1975-2005)

  19. Questions?

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