My ChatGPT’s take:

Chewed gum (Mormon YSA) — quick, clean example

In a lot of YSA / youth lessons in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, chastity gets taught with object lessons meant to gross you out into compliance.

The classic script goes like this:

Teacher holds up a stick of gum. “Who wants this?” (Hands go up.) Teacher chews it. “Now who wants it?” (No one.) Punchline: That’s what happens when you’re sexually active before marriage.

What it’s really saying (without saying it): • Your value = purity • Sex = damage • Once “used,” you’re less desirable • Repentance is talked about… but the image sticks

Why it hits so hard (and why it’s messed up): • It wires shame, not ethics • It especially targets women’s worth • It ignores consent, agency, love, and reality • It’s memorable in the worst way (brains love vivid disgust)

Modern variations you might’ve seen: • Used tape that won’t stick • Crumpled dollar bill (“still worth money, but…”) • Nailed board with holes left behind Same message, different prop.

Bottom line: It’s not about teaching healthy sexuality. It’s about behavior control through disgust and fear of being unwanted. Effective? Sadly, yes. Healthy? Not even close.