The Purity Myth: How America's Obsession with Virginity Is Hurting Young WomenFrom the bestselling author of Sex Object, a searing investigation into American culture's obsession with virginity, and the argument for creating a future where women and girls are valued for more than sexuality The United States is obsessed with virginity--from the media to schools to government agencies. In The Purity Myth, Jessica Valenti argues that the country's intense focus on chastity is damaging to young women. Through in-depth cultural and social analysis, Valenti reveals that powerful messaging on both extremes--ranging from abstinence-only curriculum to "Girls Gone Wild" infomercials--place a young woman's worth entirely on her sexuality. Morals are therefore linked purely to sexual behavior, rather than values like honesty, kindness, and altruism. Valenti sheds light on the value--and hypocrisy--around the notion that girls remain virgins until they're married by putting into context the historical question of purity, modern abstinence-only education, pornography, and public punishments for those who dare to have sex. The Purity Myth presents a revolutionary argument that girls and women are overly valued for their sexuality, as well as solutions for a future without a damaging emphasis on virginity. |
From inside the book
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Page 3
... enough wit and sass to convince young women that feminism is far from boring—that it is, in fact, necessary.” —Patricia justine tumang, The Women's Review ofBooks The Purity Myth How America's Obsession with Virginity Is Hurting.
... enough wit and sass to convince young women that feminism is far from boring—that it is, in fact, necessary.” —Patricia justine tumang, The Women's Review ofBooks The Purity Myth How America's Obsession with Virginity Is Hurting.
Page 6
... facts at a glance . . . . 217 questions for discussion . .. . . . . . . . . 221 notes . . . . . . .. . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . 223 resources .. . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . .. . . . . .
... facts at a glance . . . . 217 questions for discussion . .. . . . . . . . . 221 notes . . . . . . .. . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . 223 resources .. . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . .. . . . . .
Page 12
... fact, millions ofteenagers are finding out the same thing about themselves. . . . We have morals and are standing up for what we believe in. . . . Because of that I am saving sex for marriage.” I've always found the idea of “saving ...
... fact, millions ofteenagers are finding out the same thing about themselves. . . . We have morals and are standing up for what we believe in. . . . Because of that I am saving sex for marriage.” I've always found the idea of “saving ...
Page 21
... fact that “virgin” is almost always synonymous with “woman.” Virgin sacrifices, popping cherries, white dresses, supposed vaginal tightness, you name it. Outside of the occasional reference to the male virgin in the form of a goofy ...
... fact that “virgin” is almost always synonymous with “woman.” Virgin sacrifices, popping cherries, white dresses, supposed vaginal tightness, you name it. Outside of the occasional reference to the male virgin in the form of a goofy ...
Page 28
... fact, until 1999, the Miss America pageant had a “purity rule” that barred divorced women and those who had obtained abortions from entering the contest— lest they sully the competition, I suppose.11 So in 2006, when two of those ...
... fact, until 1999, the Miss America pageant had a “purity rule” that barred divorced women and those who had obtained abortions from entering the contest— lest they sully the competition, I suppose.11 So in 2006, when two of those ...
Contents
9 | |
17 | |
2 | 41 |
forever young | 61 |
4 | 81 |
classroom chastity | 101 |
6 | 121 |
public punishments | 145 |
8 | 167 |
9 | 185 |
0 | 203 |
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Common terms and phrases
abortion abstinence education abstinence-only education actually American anti-choice believe Bitch magazine blame blog blogger boys called Center chaPter chaste chastity condoms conservative contraception daughters example fact father female sexuality feminism feminist Feministing.com funding Girls Gone Wild Hanne Blank HPV vaccine hymen hypersexualized Ibid laws legislation magazine mainstream male marriage masculinity men’s moral NARAL Pro-Choice America organization parents percent pharmacist Policy political pop culture porn pornography pregnancy premarital sex programs promiscuous punished purity balls purity myth rape raunch culture Real Doll reproductive health secondary virginity sexual assault sexually active Shalit shame simply Stepp surgery talk teen teenage tell there’s they’re tion told vaginas victim violence against women virginity movement virginity pledges Washington Post what’s woman women of color women’s bodies women’s rights wrote York young women young women’s sexuality youth