Harris proposed a system of courtship that involved the parents of both parties to a greater degree than is usual in conventional dating.

In an interview with Family Christian Stores, Harris indicated that "people have taken the message of I Kissed Dating Goodbye and made it something legalistic – a set of rules.

That's something that's beyond my control, and it's disappointing at times..."[3] On November 20, 2005, Harris gave a sermon entitled "Courtship, Schmourtship: What Really Matters in Relationships".

[4] The book has been cited as an example of belief in "benevolent sexism" and "women as property"[5] as well as promoting "rape supportive messaging"[6] and "sexual purity teachings" that emphasize a "hierarchical father-daughter relationship" and reduces the agency of adolescent girls.

[8] Yet others have suggested that the book promoted "condemnation and shame" among young women in the True Love Waits movement.

[18] In August, Exploration Films announced they would halt distribution of I Survived, citing a lack of transparency from Harris after working with him for months.