Children in Alternative and New Religious Movements in North America

This chapter presents a review and synthesis of the literature on children in alternative or new religious movements (NRMs). There has been little research about children who grow up in these minority groups, often and problematically called “cults.” Much of what is known comes from media reports of abuse or state-orchestrated interventions. Relying on the popular “brainwashed cult member” trope, children in NRMs are often portrayed as having little agency and in need of government or, at the very least, psychological help. While abuse in a religious context is a real cause for concern, the one-sided presentation of children in NRMs as uniquely vulnerable presents limitations. This chapter critiques these portrayals, drawing on multidisciplinary literature focusing on North America. It provides recommendations for future research on children in alternative and new religious movements and advice for practitioners who support children living in or exiting from NRMs.