IndoctriNation

Surviving Child Marriage w/Tamara MC, Ph. D.

06.14.2023 - By Rachel BernsteinPlay

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

Dr. Tamara MC is a cult, child marriage, and human trafficking survivor and activist who advocates worldwide for girls and women to live free from gender-based violence. Her Ph.D. is in Applied Linguistics, and she researches how language manipulates vulnerable populations. Tamara attended Columbia University for an MFA and has been honored with residencies/fellowships in places such as Bread Loaf, Iowa Writers' Workshop, Sewanee, Ragdale, Cave Canem, VONA, and VCCA. She's published in prestigious outlets such as The New York Times, New York Magazine, Salon, The Independent, Food 52, Parents, and Thrillist.

She’s currently hard at work on her debut memoir, Child Bride: My Marriage at 12. She's traveled to nearly 80 countries, mostly alone and backpacking, and is a polyglot, having studied more than six languages. She is an empty-nesting mama to two sons in their mid-20s and a grandmamma to two feisty but adorable pups, a Boston Terrier and Australian Shepherd. When she isn't writing and reading, you'll find her road cycling, running, and playing Pickleball.

In this revealing and heartfelt conversation, Tamara opens up about being raised mostly in her father's high-control religious commune, and the confusing dichotomy of living partly with her secular and liberal mother. Throughout the discussion, Rachel offers insights on the negative impacts of burdening children with adult responsibility and sacrificing their education for the sake of religious devotion.

Before you go: Rachel explains why it's important to take note of changing or inconsistent rules in high control groups, pointing out the often illegitimate derivation of their authority.

Find more about Tamara and her work here:

https://tamaramc.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamaramcphd/

All of Rachel's video lectures are available for purchase here:

www.rachelbernsteintherapy.com/webinar.html

To help support the show monthly and get bonus episodes, shirts, and tote bags, please visit:

www.patreon.com/indoctrination

Prefer to support the IndoctriNation show with a one-time donation? Use this link:

www.paypal.me/indoctrination

Connect with us on Social Media:

Twitter:

twitter.com/_indoctrination

Facebook:

www.facebook.com/indoctrinationpodcast

Tik Tok:

www.tiktok.com/@indoctrinationpodcast

Instagram:

www.instagram.com/indoctrinationpodcast/

YouTube:

www.youtube.com/rachelbernsteinlmft

You can always help the show for free by leaving a rating on Spotify or a review on Apple/ iTunes. It really helps the visibility of the show!

More episodes from IndoctriNation