What Was The Attitude Toward Men, Women , Children & Elderly In Your Hall?

minimus

We had some interesting views toward these groups. We had a number of intelligent strong minded sisters in our congregation. They were "in subjection" to the elders. But they would voice their opinions. The elders viewed kids as pain in the butt. They were not very understanding toward families. We had a number of older ones that regularly complained that they weren't visited enough. If you were "just" a Ministerial Servant, you were considered somewhat 2nd class.

Fe2O3Girl

Men were top dogs of course, naturally the most incompetent man was superior to the most capable woman.

Women had to "know their place", dress according to the regs. Don't have a career, you can have a job providing it is really low paid.

Children were a nuisance, should be seen and not heard, except for being wheeled out for demonstrations and answering up. "Jehovah". Children needed to be hit regularly.

As I remember, the elderly were well cared for. Maybe that is my perception because my mum was usually involved in visiting and caring. Sirona may have a different perception.

minimus

Hey Girl, that sums up most of my experience, too!

franklin J

I grew up in the Huntington, New York congregation in the late 50s, 60s, and 70s. Back then in was 98% families. Huntington was and still is a thriving suburb of New York City with an outstanding public school system. People pay outrageous taxes to raise a family in this suburb. It is still predominantly a provincial, family oriented small town.

The congregation as a whole; as I remember it, was very solicitous to chilidreen and the elderly. Children were applauded; if they went out in service and participated at the meetings. Any other directives by the "peanut gallery" were not recognized.

I recall my parents picking up old Brother Stengal every sunday morning to give him a ride to the Public Talk and Watchtower study. I remember him as a cantakerous old man; who smelled. The single brother who studied with Brother Stengal ( is still an elder) did not pick him up; too far out of his way. My parents thought they would be good Christians and when asked if they could pick him up, agreed to it.. Until my mother ( who had three kids to pull together on sunday mornings ---and still had to go pick up old brother Stengal) finally told the brother who studied with him

" he is YOUR Bible study; and you are a single man. YOU pick him up; even if you have to go out of your way to do it".

I also remember old Sister Garner; she was old forever . She always wore peter pan color coats and pill box hats with little mesh vails. She was a hard old woman, who never had any children; and her ice cold demenour and dry cutting sarcastic remarks were tolerated; even though the elders thought twice before daring to berate her. There was something very "dowager" about her. She was an "old timer" who; although not of the annointed, certainly had a first class ticket to the "New World" which she had held since the "Rutherford " days.

minimus

Frank, Sister Garner reminds me od Grace Casino, our former CO's wife....btw, I'll be in NYC this Sat. til Tuesday morning. Get the drinks ready!!

hillary_step

What Was The Attitude Toward Men, Women , Children & Elderly In Your Hall?

okay.

HS

micheal

Unless you're part of a popular couple or a single pioneer, there are alot of lonley jehovah's witnesses and I mean alot.

These lonley ones rarley get visited and are expected to make it to every meeting and service but they are rarley visited or included in social gatherings.

minimus

Hillary, that was a good answer.

franklin J

hey min,

i remember Grace and John Casino. But in hindsight; my recollection of Grace Casino, as viewed through my now adult eyes ; was one of a woman limited and trapped by her pompous husbands Circuit Overseer position. I suspect Grace wanted more out of life.

give a call when in town.

minimus

Nope...Grace was the pompous one. She still thought she was living in the 50's...But I liked her, still. (I think she loved Happy Days).

What Was The Attitude Toward Men, Women , Children & Elderly In Your Hall?

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