Educated Q&A

Gene Westover exhibits a profound distrust of the public education system. This distrust can be attributed to three main factors: fear, control, and paranoia. Gene’s fear is rooted in his belief that public schools are instruments of government indoctrination, designed to “brainwash” children into becoming “socialists” and “gentiles” - his term for those not religious enough by his standards. He fears that his children will be influenced by ideas and values that contradict his own.

Control is another significant factor. Gene is portrayed as a dominant figure who needs to be in control of everything, including his children’s education. He views any signs of independence, such as seeking formal education, as a threat to his authority. Lastly, Gene’s paranoia plays a crucial role. His radical Mormon fundamentalist beliefs, coupled with his survivalist lifestyle, fuel his mistrust of mainstream institutions, including public schools. He perceives them as part of a larger conspiracy against his faith and way of life.

Tara Westover’s journey to education is marked by numerous obstacles. Raised in a Mormon fundamentalist family in rural Idaho, Tara’s father harbored a deep mistrust of mainstream institutions, including public schools. This led to Tara being homeschooled in an erratic and haphazard manner, leaving her with significant gaps in her knowledge.

Another major obstacle was the frequent accidents and injuries in her family, which often disrupted her studies. Tara’s brother’s abusive behavior also posed a significant challenge, adding emotional trauma to her already difficult circumstances.

Despite these hurdles, Tara showed remarkable resilience. She studied independently, prepared for the ACT Exam, and secured admission to Brigham Young University. However, her lack of formal schooling and alienation from the outside world became issues she had to overcome in college.

Her family, particularly her father, Gene Westover, exhibits a deep-seated aversion to hospitals and the medical establishment. This aversion can be attributed to three main factors: religious beliefs, paranoia, and a preference for self-reliance. Gene’s religious beliefs, rooted in a radical form of Mormonism, play a significant role in his distrust of hospitals1. He views them as part of a larger conspiracy against his faith and way of life.

Paranoia is another significant factor. Gene’s survivalist lifestyle and his belief in various conspiracy theories, including the Illuminati, fuel his mistrust of mainstream institutions, including hospitals. Lastly, Gene’s preference for self-reliance and natural remedies over modern medicine also contributes to his aversion to hospitals. Even when seriously injured, the family members were treated only by their mother, who had studied herbalism and other methods of alternative healing.