by Hannah Feliciano, LMFT
Last October, in conjunction with Insight Counseling Centers, I had the privilege of sharing a talk called “The Unintended Effects of Purity Culture.” I talked about how the effects of a “Christian Purity Culture” that started off trying to help youth, has created a glaring, aching need inside many now adults trying to reconcile their upbringing and beliefs around their bodies, sexuality and self-worth. This topic is not an easy one, but it is an important topic to consider. There are probably more questions than answers that I ask here, but it was my way of trying to ask the hard questions. Many clients I work with have struggled with self-esteem and body-image while they grapple with how to reconcile their sexuality with messages they heard and internalized as young people.
So now, we have to ask these hard questions. Questions like—how do we go on to have a healthy view of our bodies and sexuality? How can a person experience self-empowerment in the face of their past sexual and spiritual trauma(s)? How do current societal stigmas, beliefs and messages complicate a person's sense of self and value? How do our own internal worldviews and beliefs influence our outward behaviors?
These are questions we must all ask ourselves as we search for a better way to lead, parent and educate the next generation, in addition to live out a healthier “sexual ethic” for ourselves. I hope you not only enjoy this talk, but are challenged by it to ask yourself and those around you these difficult, but important questions. Let me know your feedback and please share, if it was of any value to you, your own personal story and path to wholeness and healing.
In peace and hope,
Hannah Feliciano, MMFT