Purity Culture Resource List
A curated collection of books, podcasts, tools, and support for exploring and healing from purity culture.
👉🏼 Understanding Purity Culture & Its Impact
📖 The Purity Myth — Jessica Valenti
A powerful critique of how purity culture shaped societal views on women, sex, and morality.
📖 Shameless — Nadia Bolz-Weber
Reclaim your body and faith from shame-based sexual ethics through this grace-filled, progressive lens.
📖 Sexual Citizens — Jennifer Hirsch & Shamus Khan
Groundbreaking insights on consent, power, and autonomy—relevant for those rethinking their sexual values post-purity culture.
🎧 Reclaiming My Theology Podcast – Purity Culture Series
Hosted by Brandi Miller. Powerful interviews unpacking purity culture’s effects on race, gender, faith, and identity.
🌐 Article: “Sexual Shame and the Legacy of Purity Culture” – The Cut
A journalistic exploration of how purity culture shows up in adult lives.
👉🏼 Recognizing the Effects of Purity Culture
📖 When Religion Hurts You — Dr. Laura Anderson
Understand the psychological, emotional, and somatic impacts of high-control religious environments.
📖 Pure — Linda Kay Klein
Firsthand stories of women navigating shame, sexuality, and healing post-purity culture.
🧠 25 Things I’ve Learned About Dating After Purity Culture — Dr. Laura Anderson
A downloadable PDF sharing 25 lessons Dr. Laura learned about dating after purity culture.
👉🏼 TOOLS FOR HEALING
📖 Come As You Are — Emily Nagoski
A science-backed, compassionate guide to pleasure, desire, and your body.
📒 Religious Trauma Institute Provider Directory
Find trauma-informed therapists and coaches familiar with purity culture recovery.
