Ironically, the movement itself objectifies and sexualizes women and girls by reducing women to their bodies and upholding the “virgin ideal” (5:05). In this way, there remains a double standard as men are allowed to express their sexuality and taught that it is good to do so while women are shamed for sexual activities and taught that they are “less than” if they do not remain “pure.”Īdditionally, Valenti states that many in the virginity movement see virginity and abstinence as a cure for the over-sexualization and objectification of women in the media. And they’re certainly not considered marked for life by this one singe act in the way that women are” (6:57-7:05). As Valenti says, “boys and men aren’t considered less whole when they lose their virginity. Men are generally celebrated for having sex and this can be seen widely in popular culture, especially in media. However, as the film states, there remains a double standard between men and women as men’s sexuality is not the primary determinant of who they are. In this way, women are being reduced to their bodies and sexualities, and “virginity the ultimate measure of a woman’s character” (Valenti 9:02).

In the film, Jessica Valenti discusses how for those in the virginity movement, and consequently many in wider society, a woman’s worth and character is determined by whether or not she has sex. This is especially true for young women as the purity myth works to uphold the patriarchy and keep women’s bodies under the control of men. The film, The Purity Myth: The Virginity Movement’s War Against Women discusses how the virginity movement and virginity discourse shapes people’s experiences and feelings about their sexuality, including if they are even allowed to express their sexuality.

The purity myth by jessica valenti