Campus Cult Crisis

Learn What Types Of Students Are Most Susceptible To Joining Campus Cults

By
Relationship Advice Expert April Masini

Q: Dear April Masini,

I've been hearing a lot recently about the popularity of cults on college campuses. My son is going to college this Fall far from home, and I'm worried that he'll be talked into joining a cult. He doesn't normally have any trouble making friends, so I'm hoping he'll find enough to keep him away from the temptations cults may have to offer, but there's always a chance. What kinds of students are most likely to join cults?

Sincerely,

Cult Crisis

A:

Dear Cult Crisis,

It's good that you're thinking ahead to your child's college experience and the dangers of them being away from home for the first time. There are definitely some students who are more susceptible to joining a cult than others. If you think your child fits into any of the following categories, it would be a good idea to sit them down and have a talk.

The students who are most susceptible to cults are:

*Lonely students

*Isolated students

*Students without close relationships with family and friends

*Unhappy or angry students

Anyone who doesn't have a strong connection to others is a possible target or susceptible to attention -- and lots of it. Cult members function as replacement family. They create a cult or a culture that is separate and instead of a family. That's why anyone with family fissures is much more susceptible to being influenced or joining a cult.

If a student really doesn't want to join a cult, they won't. Kids who know how to say no are going to have less of a problem than kids who have never learned to say no, or who want to avoid conflict or who are people pleasers more than they have their own self esteem, will also be susceptible to cults in ways that people who are strong in self esteem and clear on saying no, will have an easier time not being inculcated by cults on campus.

April Masini -- nicknamed "the new millennium's Dear Abby" by the media, is author of the best-selling books Date Out Of Your League and Think & Date Like A Man, the two (just released) step-by-step dating and relationship manuals, Ideas for a Fun Date and Romantic Date Ideas, and the critically acclaimed dating and relationship online magazine www.AskApril.com.

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