Doubletake: The Rise and Fall of Purity Culture

Michael and Millie Shipe grew up in the era of “purity culture.” It was a big thing for about 20 years starting in the 1990s, and it focused on saving sex for marriage. There were conferences and purity rings and slogans, like “True Love Waits.”But a lot of people say they’ve been deeply damaged by their experience in purity culture. There’s a growing genre of books by the “survivors” of purity culture. These are often bitter tales written by ex-evangelicals who use the term “deconstruction” to describe leaving orthodox Christianity.Today on Doubletake, the rise and fall of purity culture, through the eyes of a couple who lived through some of its best features–and some of its worst. And, just a note: this episode involves relationships and sexuality. It’s not for kids.Music/audio from:CNNSouth Park/Comedy Central“Kiss the Girl” by Samuel E. Wright/Disney“Someday My Prince Will Come” by Adrianna Caselotti/Disney“I Survived I Kissed Dating Goodbye” by Joshua Harris“Everyday Robots” by Damon AlbarnSupport WORLD News Group at wng.org/donate (http://wng.org/donate)