The Purity Myth: How America's Obsession with Virginity Is Hurting Young Women by Jessica Valenti

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(Hardcover)

  • Pub. Date: April 2009
  • 300pp
  • Sales Rank: 45,600

    Reader Rating: (12 ratings)

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    Product Details

    • Pub. Date: April 2009
    • Publisher: Avalon Publishing Group
    • Format: Hardcover, 300pp
    • Sales Rank: 45,600

    Synopsis

    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.

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    Customer Reviews

    A Book Every Woman Should Read!by WigglesNSquiggles

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    August 17, 2009: This book was wonderful and scary at the same time. Every woman between the ages of 8 and 80 should read this book and think really hard about women's roles in America.

    This book was engaging and intellectual.by EmmaG09

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    July 05, 2009: "The Purity Myth" was not the first book I ready by Jessica Valenti, but it has quickly become my favorite. It includes thorough and well-documented research to support her claims that abstinence-only-until-marriage model of prescribed sexuality for women is actually hurting the women it claims to protect. While her message is controversial, Valenti is careful not to malign the individual choices of particular women, but rather she is pointing out a cultural message which she claims is designed to control and restrict the rights of women (particularly young women).

    Valenti's style is witty and easy to read while being academic and intellectual -- regardless of whether or not the reader agrees with her position, Valenti's intelligence and honesty are clearly conveyed. I enjoyed reading this book immensely and highly recommend it.

    I Also Recommend: Full Frontal Feminism, He's a Stud, She's a Slut and 49 Other Double Standards Every Woman Should Know.


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