The Abstinence Clearinghouse Blog

Have you read “The Purity Myth” by Jessica Valenti. In my opinion,  Ms. Valenti spends an enormous amount of time trying to explain why a young women’s character should not be defined by their virginity or lack of it.

Unfortunately, along the way, Ms. Valenti presents many skewed facts in her publication regarding abstinence education, abstinence programs, and people in the abstinence movement.  She doesn’t seem to get the fact that abstinence programs help young women (and men) build self-esteem, by having them take an inward look at how valuable they are as a person.   It’s also learning to care about their bodies. By remaining abstinent, they are more likely to be healthy physically and emotionally when they enter a marital relationship. 

I love the way this teen puts it in her blog. “The real problem is that the worldview of our culture tells us it is OK to take risks, fulfill our desires and live for the moment, all without regard for the consequences.”

Valenti states in her book that “honesty, kindness and altruism” are important characteristics.  Of course they are; but just as important is the proper order of a healthy relationship as taught through abstinence education.