Kris answers “This book is disgusting to me. I do not...”

Patricia Barry asked this question about Educated:

This book is disgusting to me. I do not understand why an educated and worldly individual would have difficulty understanding the horrible and violent upbringing that she experienced. It is unbelievable to me that she could not understand the violent situation, yet uneducated upbringing she endured. I have completely misunderstood her manner of education in a life in our country, in this country, how is this possible?

Kris First of all, Tara's experience does happen in a very small population of Mormonism ... it's my guess that within all religions, there is a segment of…moreFirst of all, Tara's experience does happen in a very small population of Mormonism ... it's my guess that within all religions, there is a segment of the population that leans toward fundamentalism -- and this family was nothing if not fundamentalist. Don't forget -- Tara's father was most likely bipolar, and nobody got him the help that he needed. You add that father to a religion that has very subtle implications of female subservience to the male priesthood holders (so subtle that it's easy to deny by most mormon women who live in the city or suburbs), and you have a mother who denies the father's mental problems, and allows his violence -- and the brother's violence -- to continue. The lack of education has to do with fundamentalists who believe that schools are a breeding ground of immorality and radical ideas ... and where it's acceptable to feel compelled to homeschool your children to save them from such immorality -- and viola! You have Tara's family.(less)

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