“We can’t ignore the loss of freedom that it demands of its adherents. We can’t ignore the misogyny that it advocates. We can’t ignore the potential for abusive dynamics and ruined lives.”
I couldn’t agree more, having married very young into that environment where my church made it clear that leaving a cheating, emotionally abusive husband wasn’t an option. I never had peace, saw myself as never enough and constantly sought perfection. It was misery.
I pity most of these women, no matter how they may appear in their videos. (Most people only saw the “perfection” side of me.)And it greatly concerns me that they’re influencing young women who really don’t understand what they’re getting into…it’s basically a cult environment masquerading as a marriage. When you add children, it gets much more challenging to keep up the perfection and they’re being brought up to think little of women and highly of men.
It took me 20 years to get the courage to walk away. I lost many “friends” and my church, which was most of my daily life other than home and children. But I started a healthier, happier life and have never regretted it. I feel certain I saved my son from becoming like his father.
Thanks for writing this article. I don’t often share about my past, but maybe some young women will read your article and rethink that lifestyle. Maybe my comment can be a warning.
Thank you for sharing your story, Baker Beth. And I'm so sorry that this happened to you; I'm glad that you walked away and that you were able to show your son a much better path!
“We can’t ignore the loss of freedom that it demands of its adherents. We can’t ignore the misogyny that it advocates. We can’t ignore the potential for abusive dynamics and ruined lives.”
I couldn’t agree more, having married very young into that environment where my church made it clear that leaving a cheating, emotionally abusive husband wasn’t an option. I never had peace, saw myself as never enough and constantly sought perfection. It was misery.
I pity most of these women, no matter how they may appear in their videos. (Most people only saw the “perfection” side of me.)And it greatly concerns me that they’re influencing young women who really don’t understand what they’re getting into…it’s basically a cult environment masquerading as a marriage. When you add children, it gets much more challenging to keep up the perfection and they’re being brought up to think little of women and highly of men.
It took me 20 years to get the courage to walk away. I lost many “friends” and my church, which was most of my daily life other than home and children. But I started a healthier, happier life and have never regretted it. I feel certain I saved my son from becoming like his father.
Thanks for writing this article. I don’t often share about my past, but maybe some young women will read your article and rethink that lifestyle. Maybe my comment can be a warning.
Thank you for sharing your story, Baker Beth. And I'm so sorry that this happened to you; I'm glad that you walked away and that you were able to show your son a much better path!