1 of 5

No

Write now Article Tools

Experiencing a purity ball will be a memorable event for some girls on the brink of womanhood. A girl attends a special ceremony in which she vows to protect her innocence to her father. In turn, her father vows to protect her from the impurities of the world.

However, are purity balls the right way of promoting sexual abstinence before marriage? Purity balls are not a good idea because the girl's free will to embrace her sexuality is taken away.

Randy Wilson, a former pastor in Colorado, with his wife, Lisa, founded the purity balls in 1998 at Generations of Light ministry.

In a Glamour magazine interview, Wilson said the ceremonies are "a call for fathers to live lives of purity for their daughters. Looking around, we didn't see anything in the culture to celebrate the father-daughter relationship." (Glamour)

He also added that "if the father isn't involved, our daughters are left to navigate through relationships and culture by themselves." Wilson is the father of seven children, five of them girls.

The ceremony functions like a combination of prom and a wedding. Both father and daughter are dressed lavishly in gowns and tuxedos; white cake is on the menu; vows are spoken and signed; "purity rings" are given. All of these activities are followed by a first dance. An example of the entertainment provided is ballerinas in virginal white tulle.

Daughters are treated as princesses in a fantasy world ruled by perfect romance. Her hero tonight is her father. The highlights are the pledges recited by the daughter:

"I pledge to remain sexually pure until the day I give myself as a wedding gift
to my husband. I know that God requires this of me that he loves me and that he will reward me for my faithfulness." (Glamour)

The father recites this vow:

"I, (daughter's name)'s father, choose before God to cover my daughter as her authority and protection in the areas of purity. I will be pure in my own life as a man, husband and father. I will be a man of integrity and accountability as I lead, guide and pray over my daughter and my family as the high priest in my home. This covering will be used by God to influence generations to come." (USA Today)

Spending quality time with their children is important to most fathers. However, they risk the possibility of blurring boundaries between appropriate and inappropriate.

According to CovertIncest.org, "Covert incest typically occurs in families where one parent (the shadow parent) does not actively participate in family affairs, thus setting

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Are purity balls the right way to promote sexual abstinence before marriage??
We want to hear your view. Write now!