Cults' impact on families Parents' involvement in cults can literally destroy a family. Reports of members of diverse cults committing illegal and reprehensible activities are widespread. Child abuse in cults is common, and children are often the cults' most devastating casualties. Even children not harmed physically rarely receive formal education or develop correctly on emotional, social, and cognitive levels. Similarly, young adults who have been recruited into cults can tear a family apart as parents, siblings, and friends struggle to understand and help.
Studies report that the majority of cult members are recruited during high school or college years.