Sects in the Area of Education of Children and Youth: Situation Analysis and Indications for Preventive

Abstract

This paper addresses issues related to educational difficulties encountered by children and youth in controversial cult groups. The first section sets out the fundamental right of children and youth to school education. The next one characterizes the structure and presents the specifics of the functioning of cult groups and sects from the perspective of social sciences, with particular emphasis on the pedagogical and psychological perspective. The characteristic elements of mind manipulation were pointed out, as was the pathological scheme of controlling adepts of controversial sects. The primary part is the analysis of the relationship between sects and the formal and non-formal education system. The issues of infiltrating schools and universities by sects were also discussed, as well as the problem of partial or complete rejection of school education by cult groups. Attention was drawn to numerous controversies and threats arising from the fact that some modern sects created their own nonformal alternative education and schools. The Polish context has been particularly considered, referring to specific cases. Finally, the need and importance of undertaking diagnostic and preventive actions in counteracting the harmful effects of sects on young people was pointed out.