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
I think day care is terrific. Kids get to be around other kids, and they're playing, and they're teaching each other. When I was in college, my summer job was being a preschool teacher. I loved it, and after that experience, I said I can't wait to put my kid in day care because I could see how much they loved it. Jessica Valenti carecollegeday share on social
My problem with the wedding industry started when I studied in college and liked to have the television on in the background, and 'A Wedding Story' on TLC always came on, and I'd get irritated that the story of two people making a lifelong commitment to each other could be encapsulated in a half-hour show about the party they throw. Jessica Valenti backgroundcollegecommitment 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
Child-rearing can be a tedious and thankless undertaking. Jessica Valenti childreartedious Change image and share on social
Social media is not just another way to connect feminist and activist voices - it amplifies our messages as well. Jessica Valenti activistamplifyconnect Change image and share on social
I've seen straight, partnered women explain their decision to stay at home by noting that childcare would have taken too much out of their paycheck - as if this cost was just theirs to bear! Jessica Valenti bearchildcarecost Change image and share on social
It's not always easy being a full-time feminist - especially as a young woman - when you're constantly being told that what you do is irrelevant. I'm on the defense all the time. Jessica Valenti constantlydefenseeasy Change image and share on social
There's no one right way to parent, and there's no magic combination of genders that produces the most well-adjusted child. We all do the best we can at loving our kids and building our families. Jessica Valenti adjustbuildchild Change image and 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