176: Purity, Parenting, and Paradigm Shifts: Navigating the Impact of Purity Culture on Modern Parenthood with Nadine Crain
Canadian Certified Counsellor Nadine Crain discusses the impact of purity culture on parenthood. She explains the origins and effects of purity culture, highlighting how it emphasized abstinence and tied a person’s worth to their sexual purity. Nadine emphasizes the need to develop a healthier relationship with our bodies. Also, she discusses the importance of communication with our bodies and how to navigate the tension between teaching a biblical ethic around sexuality while avoiding the harmful aspects of purity culture.
In This Episode, You Will Hear About The Following:
- Impact of purity culture on parenthood
- Origins and long-term effects of purity culture on individuals
- How to develop a healthier relationship with our bodies
- Importance of recognizing and acknowledging our bodies
- Communication with our bodies and addressing past traumas
- Navigating the tension between biblical ethics and harmful aspects of purity culture in parenting
Resources Mentioned In This Episode:
- Christian Counsellor’s Network
- Nadine’s website
- Nadine’s Instagram
- Picture/Children’s books:
- Books for Parents Personal Healing and Learning:
Discussion Prompts For You As A Couple:
- Can you share your experiences with sex education or discussions about sex during your upbringing? How did your family or community handle these topics, and did it align with or differ from the messages of purity culture?
- Considering your own experiences or beliefs, how has purity culture influenced the way you view and teach your own children about sexuality? What strategies can you adopt to navigate this potentially challenging tension in your relationship?
- What practical steps do you believe you can take as parents to help your children develop a positive view of their bodies and understand the connection between spirituality and their physical selves?
Meet Nadine Crain:
Nadine is a Canadian Certified Counsellor with a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. Nadine is a pastor’s wife, and has served in ministry with her husband Brandon for the past 13 years. They live in Edmonton, AB, and have three daughters.
Nadine’s passion is helping Christians connect their mental, emotional, and spiritual health with how they live and experience their bodies. In her counselling practice Nadine works with couples and individuals who are struggling with anxiety, emotional regulation, recovering from religious trauma, or struggling with sexual intimacy and communication. Nadine also offers Pre-Marital Counselling, and presentations for church groups.
While completing her Master’s degree, Nadine chose to research “How Purity Culture Has Impacted the Self-Esteem, Sexuality and Spirituality of Evangelical Women.” Her findings from that project have inspired the trajectory of her counselling practice and ministry.
