CONTENT WARNING: Depictions of Sexual Assault

Anna grew up in a fundamentalist Christian family as part of the Quiverfull movement. She and her 6 siblings were not allowed to attend school and were very isolated from the outside world. Everything about her childhood was strictly controlled, from the clothes she wore to the media she had access to. She was expected to teach herself from primarily religious texts as well as teaching and caring for the younger children. Her future was laid out for her as a submissive wife and mother to many children.

She left at 19 with help from family. Starting life in a very unfamiliar world with little education was daunting but also thrilling. 7 years later she's still sifting through memories, she makes videos on TikTok (spookypatootie) recounting her experiences and has found that many other folks grew up in similar circumstances. Many kids are undoubtedly still in that situation and Anna hopes she can raise awareness and play a part in helping others.

Anna provides some background on the Christian movement Quiverfull, a theological position held by some conservative Christian couples who belong to Evangelical denominations that see large families as blessings from God. She explains some of the neglectful practices her parents employed led by their extreme interpretation of biblical texts. Anna shares with Rachel some of her deepest vulnerabilities from childhood and how she struggled to deal with them as an adult. Throughout the conversation, Rachel points out some of the commonalities in adults who have experienced religious-based parental neglect as children.

Before You Go: Rachel addresses the struggle that children who grow up isolated by religion experience trying to fit in with peers. She explains how simply extending a gesture of friendship can be revelatory to those children who are inherently ostracized because of their parent's religious beliefs.

Find Anna's amazing work on TIK TOK here:

https://www.tiktok.com/@spookypatootie

Find Rachel's book "Now I Know, Kids Talking To Kids About Divorce..." here:

https://www.amazon.com/Now-I-Know-Rachel-Bernstein/dp/1620867893

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