Recovering From Purity Culture (with Dr. Camden Morgante)
Dec 16, 2024
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Dr. Camden Morgante, a licensed clinical psychologist and author, joins to unpack the complexities of purity culture. She discusses its historical roots and harmful myths that foster shame, especially among women. Dr. Camden contrasts these toxic beliefs with a more empowering view of sexuality that encourages intimacy and mutual respect. The conversation also highlights the importance of vulnerability and self-acceptance, featuring mindfulness exercises to foster healing. Stay tuned for a beautiful meditation on overcoming sexual shame.
Purity culture perpetuated harmful myths, like equating worthiness with virginity, leading to long-lasting shame and control over sexuality.
Healing from purity culture involves differentiating guilt from shame and fostering supportive communities to reclaim one's sexuality positively.
Deep dives
Understanding Purity Culture
Purity culture is identified as a sociocultural evangelical movement that peaked from the 1990s to the 2000s, promoting abstinence until marriage primarily through shame and fear tactics. This cultural perspective introduced a set of myths and harmful beliefs that influenced individuals’ relationships with their sexuality, and these impacts were especially evident among women. While the intention behind these teachings often stemmed from a desire to protect against early sexual activity, the methods used resulted in long-lasting shame and control over individuals' self-concept and sexuality. Distinguishing between biblical values and the cultural expressions of purity culture is essential for healing, allowing individuals to reclaim agency over their bodies and sexual choices without fear or coercion.
The Myths of Purity Culture
Various myths, such as the spiritual barometer myth and the fairy tale myth, were established through purity culture to create unrealistic expectations about sexuality and relationships. The spiritual barometer myth propagates the idea that one's worthiness as a Christian is tied to sexual purity, disproportionately affecting women by equating their value with virginity. In contrast, the fairy tale myth suggests that following the rules of purity will yield a perfect marriage, which often fails to prepare couples for the complexities of real relationships. This narrow view fosters entitlement toward sex among men and diminishes the understanding that intimacy is about mutual sharing rather than transactional obligation.
Healing from Shame
The healing process from the shame of purity culture involves recognizing the difference between guilt and shame, emphasizing that guilt can lead to positive change, while shame can be debilitating. Individuals are encouraged to view their struggles as behaviors that can be changed, rather than an intrinsic flaw that defines their identity. Engaging in supportive community interactions and sharing feelings without fear of judgment is vital for breaking the cycle of shame that often leads individuals back to harmful behaviors. Positive affirmations and mindfulness techniques can help individuals reclaim their sexuality as a gift from God, facilitating a journey towards healing and self-acceptance.
Why is purity culture harmful, and how can we heal from it? Dr. Camden Morgante explains what purity culture is, where it came from, and how to let go of toxic beliefs without letting go of your faith. Stay until the end to hear Dr. Camden's beautiful meditation on healing from sexual shame.
Dr. Camden Morgante is a licensed clinical psychologist, writer, speaker, and coach. Dr. Camden combines her personal experience growing up in purity culture with her professional experience in mind-body integration to help her clients and readers heal their faith from toxic beliefs. Learn more at DrCamden.com.