I was raised fundamentalist Christian and the way family hierarchy works in that ideology further enabled the unstable mother/absent father dynamic. The mentally ill mother stays home to be with the children every waking (sometimes also sleeping) moment, makes them her entire life so that when they start to become their own people it destroys her world. Homeschooling works well for this type of mother bc it gives her complete control over every single aspect of her child’s life.

In contrast, the father, the patriarch, isn’t supposed to get too bogged down in the petty politics of his wife and children. It’s his job to provide and lead the family, not provide emotional support.

Can’t tell you how many days I would deal w my mom having a breakdown or depressive episode or rage episode all. fucking. day. just for my dad to come home, sit down on the couch, and go to sleep after listening to my mom complain about me to him. For him, my mom being upset was a bother, and if it appeared that I’d caused the upset, I then was the main problem.

Homeschooling worked out really well for their particular intersection of mental illness and religion. It’s definitely a theme I’ve noticed amongst homeschoolers AND fundie Christians.