Cult vs Culture

The current definition of a cult is a group of people led by a charismatic person. These people may have practices that are different than mainstream beliefs. Recently, a cult in Texas was found to be forcing young girls into marriages with older men. They also may have been using physical abuse to maintain order within their ranks. Law enforcement was quick to act.

The definition of a culture is a way of living, a way of life. The way of life in inner city communities has excessive street violence, often observed by young children who are permanently altered by this exposure.

http://archpedi.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/155/3/342

The culture of single, never married women raising children leads to more a more impoverished childhood.

The culture of the inner city leads to more abuse of women (16% of mothers by boyfriends/husbands).

Perhaps, a more directed effort from the leaders of the inner city communities is needed to reduce the culture of violence, never-wed single parenting, and to increase control of impulsive violence for both men and women. The fact that cult leaders can bring about behavioral change in cult members raises hopes that community leaders can bring about change in members of subcultures.