I think it's safe to say that most people posting here believe that WWASP programs, and others, as well as their orwners, are pretty much:
Money-sucking
Controlling
Mind-altering
Abusive
And generally horrible places and people, for the most part. They take people who are vulnerable and use that to their advantage. It's just wrong.
Having said that,
I think that rather than attacking these kids who get out and come here to talk and to get feedback, people should be kinder and give them facts i.e. stories from others, news articles, etc. Attacking them personally is wrong. Think about it.
If you know, without a doubt in your mind, that kids are subjected to mind-control in most, if not all, of these facilities, then you know they are most likely suffering from the after-effects. Why would it make sense to attack them? It doesn't.
They will tell you in one breath that the program helped them and even saved their life, and in the very next breath, they will tell you that no way would they ever go back.
But for the time being, they are still young, they are very vulnerable, they are working on picking up the pieces of their lives, they are learning how to live in a world they were separated from for so long - so being mean and making them have to come to their own defense is really a bit brutal, if you ask me.
Kids who went into the program because their lives were spiraling out of control often believe that they were "saved" by the program.
They do not understand that there are other ways they could have been "saved." They could have been saved without having to sit all day long, heads down, not looking at or talking to one another, losing contact with the outside world, including their parents for a while. They could have been saved without having to listen to hours and hours of mind-altering tapes and watching mind-altering videos. But they don't know that yet. And in other places, they could have been saved without spending months in isolation or being abused.
What they need is kindness, support, and facts. Not opinions, not rude, condescending words. Some of you can't even say you ever stepped foot in one of these programs, so really, listening to what they say might not be a bad idea.
They come out of there speaking from experience, their own experience. Who are we to tell them, right now, when they just got out, that they are full of it for saying the program helped them.
In time they will grow to understand there may have been other ways to achieve the same goal and that these programs are money-sucking and controlling. Right now they need support as they try to reintegrate into the world. Why not support them, why not try to help them get through this very tough time in their lives.
Let's find good, constructive things to say to these kids. Things that will support them, that will help them as they move through life.
For the kids:
Just remember that you are not horrible people because you messed up as teens. This too shall pass and you can regain control of your lives. I dare you to go out into the world and change the cycle. Don't fall back into the old patterns. Walk away from people who you know will only serve to bring you down. Find out what it is you really want to do in life - and then find a way to do it. Go to college, even if you don't think you can. Do it anyway. Take it one step at a time.
And be easy on yourselves. You have been away from mainstream for some time now and it is going to take some time to get used to it again. If you feel people are judging you for having been in a program then find new friends. There are so many good people out there. Get involved in positive activities, the rest will fall into place. And lean on family, most of the time they will be there for you. Aunts, uncles, grandparents. They love you and can really be a great support system, if you let them.
Do something positive. Volunteer your time. Help other kids who are slipping so that they don't end up in CSA or another program. Giving to your community is very powerful.
Good luck to all of you.
