Why Purity Culture Ideals Are Harmful
Start writing a post
Entertainment

Why Purity Culture Ideals Are Harmful

It's not great for one's self-esteem

446
Why Purity Culture Ideals Are Harmful

I haven't grown up with experience in purity culture. I was lucky to have parents that were open and accepting, as well as schools which taught not with a motif of shame, but of caution and respect to us as young adults. The only reason I really know a good amount about purity culture is because of the internet, and having friends who grew up in this kind of environment.

As many people do not know what purity culture is, it is an ideology within more conservative Christian sectors which puts emphasis on not having sexual relations before marriage and promotes strict modesty standards, especially for young women, regarding clothing and behavior.

There is nothing wrong with choosing to wait until marriage, as everyone's sex lives is their personal business, but it is the way abstinence and purity is taught in this culture that is harmful to both young women and men, specifically the idea that women are less pure or valuable if they choose to have sex before marriage, or that men have little self control when it comes to sex.

Of course, it's not only in this specific conservative subset that these ideals are preached. A popular comedy show on Netflix, "Jane the Virgin," starts off in a flashback of main character Jane as a young child, depicting her grandmother showing her a flower, and then telling her to crush the flower while claiming that the flower essentially represents her if she chooses to have sex before she gets married.

I've heard so many instances of girls being compared to objects such as bicycles, flowers, unwrapped candy, and being told that, much like objects, they have the ability to be "ruined" and "used" because they didn't dress modestly enough, or chose to lose their virginity at the "wrong" time. When I was younger, I saw a video on Youtube where a speaker came into a middle school classroom with a paper heart. Using scissors, he cut off parts of the heart, claiming that each time you have sex with someone you give part of your heart away, and it impacts your ability to truly love the person you were meant to marry.

Here's what's wrong with this. People are not objects. We are complex and nuanced, with the ability to love more than one person in our lifetime. It is incredibly damaging to a young girl to imply to her that the most valuable thing about her is her virginity, instead of her heart, her goals, and her humanity.

It is also disingenuous and insulting to young men to believe that all they want from a woman is to have sex with her, or to push the viewpoint that men in general can't refrain from harassing a woman depending on the clothing she's wearing. Men who are good people are not like this. And it can also be damaging to a young man to teach him from a young age that sexuality is something to be ashamed of.

People should be allowed to accept that their sexuality is a part of them, and make their own decisions without feeling pressure or shame. The only time I think someone has any business in someone else's sex life is to make sure they are informed on how to be safe and respectful.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

40053
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

24638
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

950465
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

130727
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments