Wow, this one hits really close to home.
What didn't help me was the fact that my family split up - right in the middle of my JW childhood. What slipnslide said about being an 'emotional retard'...so true for me. My parents went thru the messiest of divorces. My dad DAd himself, but still saw us kids somewhat regulary. Not the best image to have. I was the kid of a single JW mom and a DAd father, boy, were the cards stacked against me in the JW world. I guess that's what helped me quit. I didn't want to play a game I couldn't win.
The elders' sons got away with a lot of stuff, while all eyes were on me. That used to burn me somethin' fierce. I can still recall many happy times, though. Not all of it was bad. I was always encouraged to use my mind, which in the long run, let to my leaving the cult.
I guess the hard part for me was stomaching the fact that I could never have 'real' friends outside of the JW cult. The few friends I made in the 'world' have proven more loyal over the years than the ones at the hall. I also wanted a girlfriend I could fool around with without having to answer to a JC.
Being raised a JW, along with having my parents split up, has rendered me an emotional train wreck. I ride the roller coaster most of the time...up a few weeks...down a few weeks. I'm having down time now. I hope I will rebound soon. I usually do.
I don't blame my parents for my upbringing. They were born under the cult's influence, also. I don't know why the chain of events occured which led to me getting free. Why have I succeeded where my parents failed? Why did I have the logic and fortitide to made the break while my parents did not? Am I not a product of them both?
Believe me, not a day of my life goes by without me asking these questions.