How many were raised as a JW during their teenage years? (page 6)

blacksheep

I'm still struggling with my stunted childhood, brought about by comments made concerning my introversion. Just recently, I learned from a psychology textbook that people could take the Myers-Brigg Type Indicator, a personality test. I learned that IT IS OKAY AND NORMAL TO BE AN INTROVERT....

Wow, findingme...I can appreciate that your still struggling with your warped JW upbringing and unhealthy marriage...but WAY TO GO. You have turned it around and are doing the most positive thing with your life. It is NOT introversion or extroversion that matters: it's how determined you are to fulfill your potential.

Just a tip: most personality theories group people in two categories to describe how they gain their "energy" (sorry, I'm being overly simplistic--they complicate a bit more): they are either "introverts" or "extroverts." Neither is good nor bad. In fact, I'd say the US, in particular, erroenously assumes: extrovert=good; introvert=bad. Nothing could be more ridiculous. I'm sorry your first husband tried to make you feel in anyway inferior for being yourself. Honestly, I think that's a trait of JWs: anyone who is really thoughtful, introspective...will likely figure out soon enough the fallacy and inconsistency of the JWs.

I'm very proud of you for doing what you are doing. I love to read stories such as yours.

brutusmaximus

Hi all,

I was brought up from the age of one as a JW, all of my mums family are in it so it has been hard getting out. I agree with many sentiments here, missing out on a whole lot of stuff and I have had this out with my folks who said they were protecting me from the world. Fair enough but it seems to me like there are millions of young folk out there who seem well adjusted coming through life without the "protection" of the JW's. I have two kids of my own now who are in there formative years and they both seem to be doing really well, even their friends parents tell us how good they are. Yes I let go to wordly peoples houses now how bad am I!!

Life is a journey not a destination - Aerosmith

brutusmaximus

Hi all,

I was brought up from the age of one as a JW, all of my mums family are in it so it has been hard getting out. I agree with many sentiments here, missing out on a whole lot of stuff and I have had this out with my folks who said they were protecting me from the world. Fair enough but it seems to me like there are millions of young folk out there who seem well adjusted coming through life without the "protection" of the JW's. I have two kids of my own now who are in there formative years and they both seem to be doing really well, even their friends parents tell us how good they are. Yes I let go to wordly peoples houses now how bad am I!!

Life is a journey not a destination - Aerosmith

IT Support

Welcome, Brutus!

How's your 'exit' going? Are you 'fading' or was it d/f or d/a?

Regards,

Ken

freedom96

I was raised a witness, and continued until my mid 20's.

Yes, I missed out on a lot.

CountryGuy

Growing up as a JW was/is extremely hard. No wonder so many young people bolt as soon as they are old enough. I was very lucky. My KH had just a handful of kids and most of us were great friends. However, I know this is the exception and not the rule. Some of the other congregations in the area were more "strict" and would not allow large gatherings of JWs, especially the teenagers. That would make me want to stick around and be a lifer.

I'm surprised the org. hasn't done more for the kids. Honestly, the old fogeys are dying out, if the WT wants to survive, they have to do more for their young members than the YPA book, the Bible Stories book and the Great Teacher book. Why not develop some sort of programs for them? I know they'd think (or will when they read this) "That's too much like Christendom." Hmmm... I wonder why the Baptists and Methodists and Catholics have these programs? Because they work. And, dare I say it? They CARE about the children in their congregations. They care enough to actually have programs that are going to keep their attention and teach them about their religion. The WTBS may say they care about the young people in the congregations, but have proven without a doubt, by their actions, that these words are false.

Just my two cents.
CountryGuy

myauntfanny

I was raised as a JW, my mother joined up when I was two. By the time I was 14 I absolutely could not bear everything I was missing out on. I was especially pissed off that I had to wear skirts below my knees when all the other girls were wearing minis. My big concern (this was 1972) was that Armageddon would come before I could escape from home and wear miniskirts. The really sad-ass thing was that Armageddon didn't come (yay!) but by the time I escaped from home miniskirts were out and midis were in. This may seem like a very superficial thing to grieve over but...I still regret it. Going out in service sucked. Those loooong boooorrrrring meetings, especially in summer. So much as look at a boy (and I really didn't want to look at anything else) and you were a slut. No holding hands, because we all know where that leads!. No football games, no soc-hops (yes, my school had soc-hops still and it looked like it would be fun), no rollerskating parties, no afterschool clubs or sports, no trying out for pompom girl.

But I'm over it. I'm not bitter. Really.

Actually I spent years trying to make up for it but it wasn't easy for me. I kept being so furious about the moments I'd missed out on that I couldn't enjoy the moment I was in. Also, I think, for many years a little voice in my head kept saying "fun is evil, god hates fun, and if you get in trouble it will be all your fault for Falling Away etc". The kind of wierd, distorted conscience that you get from a JW upbringing doesn't necessarily just disappear when you want it to.

lfwalli

Ahh...remember the trips to the library during b-day parties. I agree though it was a shelter from things that may have been harmful, but my mom (my dad is catholic) never used the truth as a weapon on me. I think that's why i'm so tollerant now.

pratt1

Raised as a JW from the time I was ten. Feel it was a protection in some ways. However I do feel that I missed out on normal teenage things. Never had a boyfriend , didn't go to the prom, etc. My social skills just weren't developed , and I still struggle with it. When you are naturally shy, being in an organization that keeps you secluded , and isolated doesn't help. As a result none of my siblings or myself are active members anymore. One of my main issues with the JW's is, as a female , I cannot belong to an organization that says I am a second class citizen. I cannot belong to an organization that tells me that as a female and woman of color , that i cannot have aspirations, seek education or realize my full potential

I became aware of a lot of hypocrisy within the organization. I realize that there are, many current JW's that really do try to live their lives the right way, in accordance with Bible principles. I also recognize that we are all human, we all have problems , and no one is perfect. However , there are many, ( and I mean many) that are complete hypocrites. Child abuse, wife-beating , drug and alcohol abuse, you name it.

Lil OLady

I am 70+ years old and very much appreciate reading the comments of those raised as a JW. Did not realize so many of us had the same post JW problems to overcome. As I was going door-to-door by age seven, that even today I feel anxious about ringing a doorbell not ever knowing what the reaction of the householder might be. Still have a peculiar feeling in my stomach during a patriotic ceremony as it was wartime when I was in grade school and flag salute and singing the anthem was prohibited for JWs. (Although the teachers and principals were decent, intelligent and respectful.)

What I have discovered about myself is that today I do not feel comfortable in any group today that wants loyality without scrutiny or questions; that demands more of me than they render.

One little problem persists as I never learned to gift wrap packages well, but I am still working on it and getting better.

Thank you all for sharing your experiences and, believe me, you are all the wiser and more thoughtful and have used the past as a learning tool.

How many were raised as a JW during their teenage years?

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