Purity Culture (for Women)

Purity culture teaches women that their worth depends on maintaining virginity and modesty until marriage

• You must keep your virginity until marriage because your worth depends on it.

• You need to dress modestly at all times to avoid tempting men.

• You should guard your heart and avoid deep emotional attachments with men before marriage.

• Your sexuality is a gift meant only for your future husband.

• If you stray from purity, you risk losing favor and facing judgment.

Potential clinical implications (especially in high control settings)

• Self-worth may be diminished, leading to poor body image and self-esteem.

• Expressing sexual autonomy may provoke guilt or internal conflict.

• Intimacy and relationships may become anxiety-inducing.

• Survivors of sexual abuse may experience intensified trauma responses.

• Boundary-setting may become difficult due to chronic people-pleasing or shame.