I guess I've lurked around long enough - it's time to join my new family and tell the condensed (thank goodness) version of my experience.
My parents came into the org. when I was 10. It was a scary congregation in a small town. The PO was my dad's boss and he had complete control over everyone. You were either "in" or "out", depending on who you were. It was a scary dynamic.
I tried so hard to fit in but I was always "just a little bit different". I was never invited to socialize with the other girls. As time went on and I entered my teens it only got worse. But, I felt I just needed to "wait on Jehovah". I was baptized at 14 and became a regular pioneer instead of going to college (my dream). Still I was constantly teased and ostracized. I was always called into the elders for rediculous accusations from other girls.
When I was 18 a farm brother from Wallkill, NY became interested in me. The other brothers told him it was a very bad idea - that I was "strange" and not to be dated.
Now, in this congregation, the sisters got married at 19 and became hairdressers. The "farm boys" were swamped with the girls clawing at them. I wouldn't play the game and I wondered why I was always alone.
At 20 I went to Ireland to serve where the need was great. I thought this would change everything. It did. I was placed in a completely apostate congregation that was disbanded. When I came back to America over a year later I was completely disenchanted. I drifted aimlessly for two years and then drifted right out...to the horror of my parents.
But then, over the years I realized why I never fit in. I was too smart for it and, as a woman, intelligence and independence of the JW man is not tolerated in the "Christian Congregation".
I didn't waste any time after leaving. I went to college and now am 11 credits away from finishing a B.S. in Computer Science from a good private college. I've worked as an engineer for the past 4 years. I travel around the world, installing equipment, inventing equipment, and lecturing.
A few months ago I got a baby shower invite from one of the post 19-year old hairdressers. I chuckled inside as I threw it out. I stopped by my parents one day and an elder and his wife were over. My father was looking at a specification sheet for one of my projects. The elder asked me if I was the receptionist at the company. My words came back like a whiplash and his mouth dropped, "I was the primary engineer for this project".
Best wishes to all.....