Kapusta, that is quite a cynical view of the people you are referring to. I wonder what makes you think that way.
When I see someone who had a difficult background who seems to be doing “whatever they want”, I don’t think that. The ones I know are not happy being OTD, they would much rather be like their siblings and friends. You have to wonder how much they are being pushed away if they would rather be ostracized by their community and often completely dysfunctional, than to remain in yeshiva being frum.
Good point.
I wasn’t referring to OTD specifically, I was talking about people (the rest of the world included) who have family issues, health issues etc. sometimes use that to fall back on. They focus on where they came from instead of where they’re going. I’m not blaming anyone, its a natural reaction. Just a shame.