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Join Valerie and therapist colleague Dr. Julie Hanks in this recording of a recent “Instagram Live” where they explored the recent breaking news from LDS Newsroom decreasing the eligibility age from 19 to 18 for young women interested in serving full-time missions. 

In this conversation Val and Julie tackle possible as variety of topics, including short term and long term social, cultural, and mental health drawbacks and benefits that might follow this policy change. They also address how skyrocketing attrition rates from women in patriarchal churches worldwide (and within the LDS church) might be connected to this shift in policy. 

Don’t miss this riveting discussion that continues to correlate the connection between psychological health and gender equality—a topic that these two heritage Latter-day Saint therapists have committed a great deal of their careers to highlighting for the benefits of the LDS Church and all connected to it.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction and Guest Introduction

01:29 – Implications of Mission Age Change

02:27 – Gender Roles and Patriarchy

03:30 – Strategic Motivations and Retention

04:51 – Personal Reflections on Mission Experiences

06:04 – Missions as Catalysts for Change

08:45 – Concerns About Early Marriage and Education

10:00 – Generational Differences and Faith Journeys

12:23 – Temple Access for Young Women

13:30 – Women Leaving Organized Religion

14:09 – Challenges and Opportunities for Church Evolution

16:00 – Paradox of Devotion and Faith Crisis

19:16 – Balancing Individuality and Community in Faith

20:30 – The Church’s Developmental Stage

22:21 – Potential for Organizational Change

24:00 – Normalizing Women’s Leadership

31:50 – Impact of Mission Age on Family Life

32:17 – Egalitarian Structure in the Church

33:32 – Women’s Leadership and Identity

35:30 – Birth Rate and Missionary Integration

37:00 – Economic Realities and Family Planning

39:39 – Mental Health Concerns for Young Missionaries

40:24 – Pressure and Autonomy in Missionary Service

42:00 – Stigma and Social Ranking

45:23 – Patriarchy and Gender Roles in the Church

47:15 – The Cost of Conformity

49:54 – Encouragement for Individual Choices

51:00 – Redefining Spirituality and Autonomy

52:39 – Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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