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Quote by Jessica Valenti

“Consider another abstinence product: a gold rose pin handed out in schools or at Christian youth events. The pin is attached to a small card that reads, "You are like a beautiful rose. Each time you engage is pre-marital sex a previous petal is stripped away. Don't leave your future husband holding a bare stem. Abstain."Do we really want to teach our daughters that without their virginity they're nothing but a "bare stem"?”

Quote by Jessica Valenti

Work

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

This book delves into the effects of societal expectations surrounding virginity on young women in America, examining the psychological, emotional, and societal consequences. more

Author

Jessica Valenti
Jessica Valenti

Jessica Valenti, born on November 1, 1978, is an American writer whose work primarily focuses on gender, politics, and social justice issues. Her notable works include 'The Purity Myth: Challenging the Sexual Orthodoxy of the American Right'. more

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“From the smoothness of their skin, the length of their hemlines, the banality of their song lyrics and sitcom plots, these young stars embody an ideal of teenage innocence that adults are grateful to embrace. For as many seasons as the illusion can be maintained they remain, at least on screen, uncomplicated, untroubled good girls on the verge of, but never actually awakening to, their sexuality. There is a lot of money to be made and a lot of parental anxiety to be tapped by walking that line. There is also a lot of fury unleashed at those who step across it. When young stars pose semi-nude or get caught drinking they threaten the notion that our own daughter's coming of age could be effortless. Suddenly the role models, who perpetuated that myth, become the vector of our fears. The betrayal feels personal and cuts deep.”

“Breadcrumbs And your doubt can become Your ally, your fierce reminder Of every blackened backroad Every barren stream and Every long moment you stumbled through life in red shoes the size of thimbles Shoes that cut the arches Of your white feet and Told you to accept only breadcrumbs. Never to gulp the hungry air Or open the shutters in your chest To reveal your lionheart Your doubts used to be the tales You spoke into dark stars under The bright gaze of Venus No more, dear heart. No more.”