Thank you for sharing part of your story with us. Our experiences aren’t exactly mirror reflections, but definitely related and probably rooted in the same causes.
Do you have any ideas for the young people now in youth culture or their parents? Finding a church has been hard for my husband and me - partly because of the youth culture as we desire our kids to have fun and be excited, but also we are nervous for ideas like shame to be planted. Is it just something one decides might happen and you speak differently at home?
Ellie, I apologize for my delay in getting back to you. I think one part of me wanted to avoid putting words to my answer because I'm trying to figure out where to begin as well. One thing I've been really encouraged by is how prevalent a critique of purity culture is among Evangelicalism. Like I don't think it is only the weirdos on the edge like me critiquing it; I really think it has entered the Evangelical zeitgeist. It doesn't necessarily mean we have an answer of what to replace it with, but I'm encouraged to hear of youth pastors rethinking purity culture teachings. I actually had a youth pastor text me letting me know he was using one of my articles which critiqued purity culture as he put together a unit on sex and intimacy.
I also really, really think there is power in healthy education and open communication at home, as well as a few key people outside the house that you trust. I had a college mentor in highschool through YoungLife who actually talked me through how to kiss a girl because I didn't want to ask my parents about that. He was also open about his own journey and struggles, which really normalized desire and healthy sexuality for me.
Sorry I'm even more ramble-y haha, but it's something I'm thinking about and hoping to write on. There are LOTS of critiques, but not a lot of rebuilding. One book I'm in the middle of and REALLY enjoying is "Non-Toxic Masculinity: Recovering Healthy Male Sexuality" by Samuel Wagner. He does a good job of both critiquing purity culture but also rebuilding a healthy sexual education in its place.
🤌👏🏻
Thanks dude!
Thank you for sharing part of your story with us. Our experiences aren’t exactly mirror reflections, but definitely related and probably rooted in the same causes.
Do you have any ideas for the young people now in youth culture or their parents? Finding a church has been hard for my husband and me - partly because of the youth culture as we desire our kids to have fun and be excited, but also we are nervous for ideas like shame to be planted. Is it just something one decides might happen and you speak differently at home?
Sorry for the ramble-y thoughts.
Ellie, I apologize for my delay in getting back to you. I think one part of me wanted to avoid putting words to my answer because I'm trying to figure out where to begin as well. One thing I've been really encouraged by is how prevalent a critique of purity culture is among Evangelicalism. Like I don't think it is only the weirdos on the edge like me critiquing it; I really think it has entered the Evangelical zeitgeist. It doesn't necessarily mean we have an answer of what to replace it with, but I'm encouraged to hear of youth pastors rethinking purity culture teachings. I actually had a youth pastor text me letting me know he was using one of my articles which critiqued purity culture as he put together a unit on sex and intimacy.
I also really, really think there is power in healthy education and open communication at home, as well as a few key people outside the house that you trust. I had a college mentor in highschool through YoungLife who actually talked me through how to kiss a girl because I didn't want to ask my parents about that. He was also open about his own journey and struggles, which really normalized desire and healthy sexuality for me.
Sorry I'm even more ramble-y haha, but it's something I'm thinking about and hoping to write on. There are LOTS of critiques, but not a lot of rebuilding. One book I'm in the middle of and REALLY enjoying is "Non-Toxic Masculinity: Recovering Healthy Male Sexuality" by Samuel Wagner. He does a good job of both critiquing purity culture but also rebuilding a healthy sexual education in its place.