The Purity Myth: How America’s Obsession with Virginity is Hurting Young Women

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

As an avid Feministing reader, I’ve been familiar with Valenti’s work for quite a while but had never picked up one of her books until now. Her first two books, Full Frontal Feminism and He’s a Stud, She’s a Slut, seemed a bit too Women’s Studies 101 for where I’m at, so I passed on reading them. But when I heard about The Purity Myth I knew I just had to read it; as a staunch anti abstinence-only advocate, I hoped I would find more substance in Valenti’s book than I found in the somewhat disappointing Virgin: An Untouched History by Hanne Blank. (I freely admit to my own research-ery snobbery–if your book doesn’t have a plethora of footnotes, I’m not going to believe your arguments.) Despite a few issues I had with the book, me and my highlighter were quite pleased.

Power to Palin?

In her first interview since the joy of childbirth, Bristol Palin:

-used feminist terminology to defend her “choice” (having the baby) [but is it really a choice when your mother is running for VP and is staunchly anti-choice?]

-quickly reminded the world that abstinence is the best option, but that expecting teens to remain abstinent is unrealistic.  [a step in the right direction?  if one of their own says it...]

-has been brainwashed by US Weekly and celebrity moms into thinking that ‘the baby’ was just a fun new accessory for spring.  Bristol confides that motherhood is anything but glamorous!  [file that under "no shit sherlock"]

Maybe she’s about to “click”?

long time no link

yes, yes, yes. mayhem has let BTW fall to the wayside. she’s been rather busy, i’ll have you know, what with procuring herself a full time job in teh sitee. the rumors are true, she has become a cubicler. but on the plus side they sent her to DC for a glorious reunion with spitfire. so said job is not so bad, it just tends to keep her from blogging. or staying awake past 10.

shall we do a little linking??

won’t you take me to linkytown (8/10-8/16)

After a brief absence, the weekly link post is back! Like I said earlier, I’ve been a bit preoccupied and for that I apologize. (It’s summer, come on…) How are (are?) people getting along reading Pope Joan? I’ve been reading like a fiend, and I’m looking forward to a discussion. Here’s a few stories from the past few weeks, after the jump.

we could be linkers! we can’t do that!! (6/22-6/28)

where the heck has june gone? it’s as though i blinked and summer is almost one-third done. and i have yet to attend a bbq or go to the beach! well, tonight i bring you this linkage update whilst watching eagle vs. shark and eating fruit salad i purchased at the essex market. i’m in good spirits! linkage onward!