Michael Pearl’s Advice is Child Abuse (According to His Own Definition)

The very things that Pearl says are indicators of abuse are the very things Pearl says are the signs that one has mastered his techniques.

Humane Child Training: Sarah’s Story

While my parents didn’t follow Pearl’s advice to the letter, I was raised in a household with a strong emphasis on obedience.

Sorry, Michael Pearl, But These Fireworks Are Calling You Out: Lisa Joy’s Thoughts

“Michael Pearl’s recent post reminds me of Bill Gothard, Doug Phillips, and the like. Excellent sales technique — create a problem, then conveniently offer a solution the customer can buy to solve that problem. When that doesn’t work, encourage them to buy more solutions.”

Wifely Duties and Baseball Bats: Morgan Dawn’s Story

“At the age of 3, I was adopted by a Navy couple. Life was great for about 6 weeks, when they adopted a baby boy. That was when the horror began. I was pushed aside, because I was ‘just a girl.’ By the time I was 10, the couple had 3 biological kids, on top of myself and the other adopted boy.”

An Open Letter to Debi Pearl

“I know this may be hard for you to hear, Debi, but many parents who read To Train Up A Child come away viewing their children’s normal behavior as sinful and interpreting their children’s natural needs as selfish as a result. They don’t come away with the idea that they should listen to their children or try to understand what makes their children tick, because that’s not in there.”

Have I Forgiven Them?: Katharine’s Story

“My parents have apologized for things that never bothered me — criticizing me too much, fighting too much. I know they love me, but they will never see that their insistence on those rigid Christian values and their insular homeschooling, their need to shelter us, are the things that have harmed. They did not cause my little sister to become suicidal, but like a mushroom grows best in moisture and the dark, the conditions were there.”

Corporal Punishment and The End of The Red Stick: Heather Doney’s Story, Part Two

“The red stick had started out as a handle to a child-size broom and then when the broom broke 25 years ago, it became a toy (a walking stick, a bat, a pretend sword) left in the yard until my Dad picked it up off the patio one day, tapped it against his palm a few times and said, ‘This would make a real good spankin’ stick.'”

Public Schools and Home Dictators: Keziah’s Story

“A home dictator doesn’t have to be a homeschool parent, or a religious zealot. A home dictator needs a cause – which can be simply to bury their pain or to feel powerful. My home dictator was mentally ill, and surrounded by enablers: my dad, her siblings, her parents, and once I was old enough, me.”

Corpses Don’t Rebel: ExPearlSwine’s Story

“Thank God I escaped from thinking like you, Carri Williams. Thank God some of my babies were mothered without pain, once I got away from their father and all the right-wing fundamentalist teachings that had ruined my life, Pearl’s teachings included.”

My Regret: Quick Silver Queen’s Story

“My only regret is that I didn’t stick up for her, for them, every time it happened with I don’t know how many of them, probably all, at one time or another. The last time it happened when I was there, I was so close to exploding that had he spanked her one more time, I would have done something. I just wish I had…that I had stood up long before.”