The Purity Myth: How America's Obsession with Virginity Is Hurting Young Women » (First Trade Paper Edition)

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 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 virgin 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.

Introduction 9

1 The cult of virginity 17

2 Tainted love 41

3 Forever young 61

4 The porn connection 81

5 Classroom chastity 101

6 Legislating sexuality 121

7 Public punishments 145

8 Beyond manliness 167

9 Sex, morals, and trusting women 185

10 Post-virgin World 203

Purity myth facts at a glance 217

Questions for discussion 221

Notes 223

Resources 239

Index 251