{"product_id":"the-purity-myth-how-americas-obsession-with-virginity-is-hurting-young-women-9781580053143","title":"The Purity Myth: How America's Obsession with Virginity Is Hurting Young Women","description":"\u003cb\u003eFrom the bestselling author of \u003ci\u003eSex Object\u003c\/i\u003e, 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\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eThe United States is obsessed with virginity--from the media to schools to government agencies. In \u003ci\u003eThe Purity Myth, \u003c\/i\u003e 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. \u003ci\u003eThe Purity Myth\u003c\/i\u003e 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. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eJessica Valenti\u003c\/b\u003e is the author of multiple books on feminism, politics and culture, and editor of the anthology \u003ci\u003eYes Means Yes: Visions of Female Sexual Power and a World Without Rape\u003c\/i\u003e. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Jessica is also the founder of Feministing.com, which \u003ci\u003eColumbia Journalism Review\u003c\/i\u003e called \"head and shoulders above almost any writing on women's issues in mainstream media.\" \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Her writing has appeared in publications like the \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e, the \u003ci\u003eWashington Post\u003c\/i\u003e, the \u003ci\u003eNation\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003eMs.\u003c\/i\u003e magazine. She is currently a columnist at the \u003ci\u003eGuardian\u003c\/i\u003e US. Jessica lives in Brooklyn with her husband and daughter.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Seal Press (CA)","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50650042040594,"sku":"9781580053143","price":13.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_94a216de-f5ef-49d3-983c-d51fb621c98c.jpg?v=1733281140","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/the-purity-myth-how-americas-obsession-with-virginity-is-hurting-young-women-9781580053143","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}