Sounds Like A Cult The Cult of Purity Culture
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Jun 10, 2025 Kelsey McKinney, author of God Spare the Girls and host of Normal Gossip, joins to dissect the entanglements of purity culture. Growing up in Texas, she shares her experiences with purity rings as symbols of abstinence, exploring their cult-like implications. The conversation dives into the societal pressures and emotional fallout from evangelical teachings, the commercialization of chastity, and the urgent need for honest discussions about intimacy. Kelsey cleverly critiques the absurdity of these norms while shedding light on their lasting effects.
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Purity Rings as Powerful Symbols
- Purity rings symbolize virginity vows mainly for teen girls in evangelical Christian communities.
- They're more than jewelry; they represent a controlling culture with rules, ceremonies, and religious trauma.
Purity Balls and Ownership
- Purity culture includes purity balls where daughters pledge virginity under their fathers' guardianship, implying ownership over female sexuality.
- This culture enforces strict control and shame, positioning women as property first of fathers, then husbands.
Personal Experience with Purity Pledge
- Kelsey McKinney recalls taking a virginity pledge through the True Love Waits program in high school.
- She describes awkward ceremonies and parent-child communication vows that she found contradictory and setting participants up to fail.
