Sam Harris

A major theme I like to explore in my work is purity culture and the undesirable outcomes (for women) that are a result of puritan ideologies that are synonymous with American Culture. More specifically, the impact purity culture has on women’s identity and expression. Growing up in a suburban mid-western town in Missouri, the culture I existed within was heavely influenced by Christian complementarianism and gender norms. This inevitably fostered deep shame and anxiety surrounding my desires as a teen and young woman resulting in a suppression of self. I was suppose to be “hunted,” I was not suppose to want it as wanting it made me feel inglorious. But, don’t think you’re supposed to present unappealing, you must still perform. But not too much, as you don’t want to look “easy.” I struggled a lot with the idea of being prey that submits, because what I and all women ultimately need is sovereignty within our sexual and romantic relationships. These pressures are examples of cultural conditioning that are unique to girls and women, and I’ve now spent most of my adult life trying to deconstruct these internalized beliefs.