Cultists vote to stop rearing children (8)
I believe the answer is:
devotees
'cultists' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being plural nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'vote to stop rearing children' is the wordplay.
'to stop' means one lot of letters goes inside another (stopping can mean blocking a gap).
'rearing' is a reversal indicator (as in a horse rearing up).
'children' becomes 'seed' (seed can mean one's offspring).
'seed' backwards is 'dees'.
'vote' going within 'dees' is 'DEVOTEES'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for devotees that I've seen before include "Disciples or enthusiasts" , "Fans" , "Ardent followers and admirers" .)