The Purity Myth
How America's Obsession with Virginity is Hurting Young Women
Berkeley, Calif. : Seal Press, [2009]
Format: Book
Description: 263 pages ; 24 cm
From 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.
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.
Contents:
The cult of virginity -- Tainted love -- Forever young -- The porn connection -- Classroom chastity -- Legislating sexuality -- Public punishments -- Beyond manliness -- Sex, morals, and trusting women -- Post-virgin world.
Subjects:
Young women -- Sexual behavior -- United States.
Virginity -- Social aspects -- United States.
Young women -- Sexual behavior -- United States.
Virginity -- Social aspects -- United States.
ISBN:
9781580053143 (pbk.)
Availability | |||
---|---|---|---|
Call Number | Location | Shelf Location | Status |
SOCIAL SCI Sex Val | Sandhills Indoors | Nonfiction | Out (Due: 6/15/2024) |
Includes bibliographical references (pages 223-238) and index.