Are more men or women pulling up their tent pins?

by TooBad TooSad 18 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  OnTheWayOut

  Generalization alert- It seems to me that there are scores of men and women here. But men like to be
  problem solvers. If we read something here, we feel the need to put in our logical comment. That way,
  everyone can read our comment and they should listen to us, then their problem is solved. That would
  cause men to post more than women.

  Generalization alert- Women are caring and concerned. They will post to show empathy and care.
  Guys try to be man-ish and avoid such threads, or else hit them with a comment and run back to the
  "serious" threads.

  Generalization alert- The ongoing debates are usually between men because we want the last word.

  This Generalization alert should not be considered absolute and is subject to a 49% margin of error.
• 

  Bonnie_Clyde

  MEN, especially those in positions of responsibility, get to see behind the curtain and see that the Wizard of OZ WT is nothing but a little old man group of little old men controlling our lives with antiquated, dusty reasonings based on a loose interpretation of the Bible.

  That's how it was with Clyde. When the elder arrangement started, he was quite excited thinking that this was God's arrangement. At the second meeting when they were selecting and debating on who qualified, Clyde saw that they were making decisions not based on God's word but on their prejudices. The next evening he made the decision to decline the position of "elder." He told me that he decided to wait and see how things worked out. He did, however, accept the lesser position of MS. This caused a lot of gossip in the congregation--no one could understand why Clyde would turn down such a "privilege." It also caused me a lot of consternation because I wanted very badly to be an elder's wife.

  It took me many years to understand and appreciate that he did the right thing. I can't imagine how our life would have been if he had accepted a position that went against his convictions. Clyde continued with the meetings for a few years but gradually faded. It took me at least another ten years.

  As far as there being more women in the organization than men, this might be a local thing, but I've heard that the young brothers reaching marriageable age are having a hard time finding sisters. I've seen a lot of young girls leave the organization as soon as they get out of high school.
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  changeling

  At the risk of overgeneralizing, here's my opinion:

  Women have more emotional baggage. We tend to care more about who we leave behind. We lean on family and friends for support.

  That being said, I am a woman and in our case, I took the first step to leave.

  Even though my husband had doubts longer than I did, he did not voice them so as to not "rock the boat".

  It was when I discovered the Society's involvement with the UN and brought it to my husband's attention that we started to fade,.

  I quit field service and meetings before my husband.

  Once my mind is made up, there's no turning back. It's my personality, not my gender that moves me

  changeling
• 

  serendipity

  I think there are a multitude of reasons. Some have been mentioned.
  
  If a JW woman fades and her husband doesn't, what are the consequences? Will he abuse, badger, neglect her? Will he leave her and take the kids - which is a horrible thought for most women? Will he leave her with the kids- and she has to fend for herself and support them with a high school education?
  
  I think the women look at the consequences and come to the conclusion they can't risk it. At least that's what I wonder when I hear some of my female relatives say "Even if it's not the truth, it's a good way to live life."
• 

  eclipse

  I agree with the generalization that it seems that more men than women are leaving. At least mentally.

  I think it's also that the men get to see behind the scenes, whereas the ''sisters'' have to just be quiet and obedient.

  There seems to be more brainwashed women JW apologists on the board, but I have not been here that long.
• 

  MadTiger

  MSs and elders are either going to be more enmeshed in the BS, even part and parcel of it, or more likely to fade/leave. No middle ground, really.
• 

  Gayle

  The percentage of men would be higher in leaving, I think. If women have family there, they would linger longer. Tho nowadays the younger gals are getting more educated and independent in a good way.
• 

  OnTheWayOut

  At least the vast majority of kids growing up in the religion leave, male or female.
• 

  jaguarbass

  My opinion based on my limited experience.

  My mother was a witness. My father allowed it. It got my mother my brother and I out of the house and his hair probalbly 8 hours a week. That gave him a lot of freedom and time to himself.

  The only reason I was a witness was it was forced on me by my mother and it took me 31 years to figure out how to escape.

  Many of the men that I knew contempories at least had similar situations as I, or at least the religion was forced on them by their parents.

  I cant immagine in this day how any one could be a witness. With the high cost of living and time it takes to make a living. Who has time to spend 7 - 8 hours a week on meaningless drivel. And with computers and the information age who can be so gullable to fall for the wac tower bullshxt?

  Back in the 60's and 70's I did not notice an imbalance between the sexes that you speak of.

  And most of the people I knew were born into the cult.