Leaders weaken the followers psychologically, undermining other support systems such as friends, families and clergy. Every career or life decision may be made by the cult leaders, including whether members should go to school, keep their jobs, marry or bear children. Cults control their members' time. Followers work long, exhausting hours either recruiting or raising money for the group. They often must contribute large sums of money to the group, which generally goes to the group or its leaders, and not to improve the world, as they claim.
Cults generally force followers to break relations with their families outside of the cult.
If the family is inside the cult, they weaken or destroy the family and love ties so that affection and loyalty go to the leaders and the group. Members, especially women and children, may be psychologically, physically or sexually abused. Leaders can skillfully manipulate the followers through sexual humiliation and general fear. Some groups are heavily armed and train their members, even small children, to use weapons. Cults often have contempt for outside society and its laws and social mores because they believe their mission places them above human standards.