Tag Archives: the purity myth

Check Out “The Purity Myth” Documentary, Now On DVD

Jessica WakemanDecember 6, 2011 //
The Purity Myth
Jessica Valenti explains why "purity" is a dangerous goal for teen girls. Read More »
"Virgin Diaries" Kiss
Watch the most awkward first kiss in the history of first kisses. Watch »
Virgin Celebs
Miley Cyrus photo
13 celebs who've pledged to keep it in their pants until marriage. 13 Photos »
Jessica Valenti photo
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You’re (hopefully) already a fan of The Purity Myth: How America’s Obsession With Virginity Is Hurting Young Women, by Jessica Valenti, the kickass activist and blogger who co-founded Feministing.com. But did you know her groundbreaking book has been made into a documentary, now available on DVD? “The Purity Myth” documentary is narrated by Valenti herself and walks us through the cultural resurgence in “purity” that has every female celeb bragging she will be a virgin on her wedding night. Keep reading »

Abstinence-Only Sex Ed Is Rebranding Its Message

Jessica WakemanJune 23, 2009 //

If you’re wondering who thought it was a good idea for Bristol Palin, pregnant at 17, to warn America’s teens not to have sex until they’re married, you’re not alone.

But it’s hard to figure out what, exactly, the well-meaning adults who preach “no sex until marriage” to teenagers are thinking, considering a 2007 study confirmed abstinence-only education does not work.

Jessica Valenti, editor of Feminsting.com and author of The Purity Myth: How America’s Obsession With Virginity Is Hurting Young Women, has written a piece for The Nation about how the groups that comprise what Valenti calls “the virginity movement” have finally realized they need new PR.

Unfortunately, the abstinence preachers’ ideas for discouraging teens from having sex still don’t make any sense. Keep reading »

Jessica Valenti Braves “The Today Show”

Amelia McDonell-ParryApril 23, 2009 //

Jessica Valenti was on “The Today Show” this morning to promote her new book The Purity Myth. Instead of discussing her book in depth, the producers pitted her against abstinence education champion Lakita Garth in a debate moderated by Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb, who always looks slightly perplexed. The result was that Garth got way more speaking time, although Valenti held her own as best she could, and Kathie Lee positioned herself on the issue of virginity loud and clear. “It’s much easier to give it away than keep it, right?!” Keep reading »