Purity

what is the The Purity Myth

is the lie that virginity or sexual abstinence has some bearing on who we are as people, as good people, women in particular.

• Jessica Valenti calls it a lie that virginity defines someone’s character.

what is virginity often described as being?

“Virginity” particularly is often social constructed as the marker of a woman’s worth/value.

what is a double standard to virginity?

Men are praised for sexual activity (“stud”), women are shamed (“slut”).

what is virginity tied to?

Tied to the Madonna/Whore Complex—women are either saintly and pure or overly sexualized, with no in-between.

what is Chastity Culture

• Chastity = refraining from sex until marriage (often viewed as "morally right").

• Reinforced by religion and conservative values.

what are practices of chastity culture

• Purity balls (father-daughter dances pledging abstinence).

• Abstinence rings. - are symbols of a promise to not have sex until marriage, often worn by teenage girls or young women in religious or conservative communities.

  Leads to risky behavior (e.g., choosing oral/anal sex over vaginal to "stay pure") and increased STIs due to lack of education.

types of Sex Education (3)

• Comprehensive: includes info on contraception, STIs, consent.

• Abstinence-only: promotes sex only after marriage, often excludes crucial information.

• Both often reinforce heteronormativity and the gender binary.

what do these educations usually lack (3)

• Inclusive info for queer people.

• Conversations around pleasure and consent.

• Education varies by region, politics, religion.

what is Honour Killings

Extreme violence (often murder) committed to "protect family honour."

• women primary target

why are women the primary targets (5)

• because these acts are rooted in patriarchal beliefs that tie a family’s honour and reputation to a woman’s sexuality, behavior, and obedience.

• Refusal of arranged marriage.

• Divorce.

• LGBTQ+ identity.

• Non-marital sexual activity.

• Reflects how deeply sexual control and violence against women are embedded in some cultural systems.

what is Menstrual Taboos (2)

• Menstruation seen as "unclean" across various cultures and religions.

• Associated with shame, isolation, and secrecy.

what does this taboo lead to? (3)

• Skipping school/work.

• Exclusion from homes/public spaces.

• Mental health impacts and even suicide in extreme cases.

what are some Period Myths (5)

• “You can’t swim or do sports on your period.”

• “Tampons take your virginity.”

• “You can’t get pregnant during your period.”

• “PMS is made up.”

• These stem from a lack of education and perpetuate shame and misinformation.

what is period poverty?

1. The inability to afford or access products
2. The lack of proper education around subject
3. The inferior or unsafe quality of products

who does period poverty effect and what are its affects

• Homeless people.

• Incarcerated individuals.

• Can lead to:

  • Unsafe alternatives (e.g., socks, rags).

  • Health risks (e.g., UTIs, Toxic Shock Syndrome).

  • Power imbalances (e.g., trading sex for products).

Progress & Advocacy

Recent movements have sought to de-stigmatize the word and topic by normalizing conversations and education about menstruation ex. #NoShameHere #SeeingRed #PeriodStories

what do these movements advocate for? (5)

• Free and safe menstrual products.

• Ending the Tampon Tax.

• More realistic ads (stop using blue liquid to show blood).

• Representation of diverse menstruators.

• Alternative products (cups, period underwear, etc.).