Utah Women’s Issues with Purity Culture: Addressing the Fallout
As a neuropsychologist in Provo, with almost 20 years of experience counseling Mormon women and couples, I witness the impact of purity culture every day. Personally, I grew up in this environment and felt its effects deeply. I didn’t even have my first kiss until I was 17, and I carried a belief that my body should be shut down to avoid any pleasure that could make me unworthy. This mindset created a struggle for me after marriage, as I found it difficult to reconnect with my own body. Despite therapy and becoming a therapist myself, I still bear the scars of this disconnect after three decades. Unfortunately, this experience is all too common among Utahns due to the prevalence of purity culture in our state.
With new seasons of reality shows like “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” and “Bachelorette” on the horizon, the tabloids speculating about cast members’ sexual lives can trigger feelings of shame and judgment in many, mirroring the struggles my clients face. It is crucial that we do not tie a woman’s worth to her sexual history. While reality TV may profit from this narrative, our communities do not have to fall into this trap. When we reduce women to mere cautionary tales or prizes, real women, like ourselves, our mothers, sisters, and daughters, are the ones who bear the brunt.
As both of these shows are filmed in Utah, we are about to face a double whammy of purity culture being broadcast to the world. This may bring up a range of emotions from disgust to anxiety and depression for many Utahns. If you find yourself struggling with negative effects, it’s important to seek help from a healthcare professional. Remember, you do not have to endure this alone. By speaking out against purity culture, we can begin to dismantle its power, as it thrives in silence.
Kristy Money, Provo
