In 'The Purity Myth,' I not only discuss what the purity myth is and reveal its consequences for women, but also outline a new way for us to think about young women as moral actors, one that doesn't include their bodies. Jessica Valenti actorbodyconsequence share on social
Bra-burning never happened. It was completely made up by the media. A couple of women protesting a Miss America pageant threw some bras into a garbage can, and somehow that became this longstanding idea of feminists as bra-burners. Jessica Valenti americabraburn share on social
Women are brought up to believe you are going to be the better parent and you know what's best. I don't think that's necessarily true. As much as we have to ask men to step it up, we have to take a look at ourselves and be willing to give up some of that parental power. Jessica Valenti bringgiveman share on social
Even the notion that women should have children at all is based on the idea that a woman's inherent and most important role is that of mother. Shockingly, men's 'innate' roles are a lot more fun than the ones bestowed on women. Jessica Valenti basebestowchild share on social
I grew up in Long Island City. When I was growing up, my parents owned a women's clothing store in Queens. It was for older women. I got my bras there, until I realized I didn't want those huge, taupe bras. Everything was beige, with massive amounts of hooks. Jessica Valenti amountbeigebra share on social
There is no public space for women; the whole world is a prison where you have to be constantly aware at all times that you're a potential victim. What's more terrifying is that it's not necessarily preventative. Jessica Valenti awareconstantlynecessarily share on social
Dismissing socialization and gender roles as piddling compared to this amorphous idea of 'maternal imperative' is part of the reason progress is stalled for family-friendly policies. Jessica Valenti amorphouscomparedismiss Change image and share on social
It's become impossible to enjoy most quality television shows because the hurt or endangered women device is so frequently used. Jessica Valenti deviceendangerenjoy Change image and share on social
People ask me a lot, 'Well, can you be pro-life and be feminist? Can you be conservative and be feminist?' And I think that, yeah, maybe personally you can be those things. But I think if you're advocating for legislation, or if you're fighting to limit other women's rights, then you can't really call yourself a feminist. Jessica Valenti advocatecallconservative share on social
The only purpose of an engagement ring is to show you 'belong' to someone, and your man makes bank. Jessica Valenti bankbelongengagement Change image and share on social