[Virginity is] a cultural ideology that conflates passivity - the act of not having sex - with superior morality. — Jessica Valenti Copy Share Image
There were a WHOLE LOTTA us not having sex at Harvard . . . but none of us thought that that was… — Jessica Valenti Copy Share Image
Sex for pleasure, for fun, or even for building relationships is completely absent from our national conversation. Yet taking the joy out… — Jessica Valenti Copy Share Image
Present-day American society-whether through pop culture, religion, or institutions-conflates sexuality and morality constantly. Idolizing virginity as a stand-in for women’s morality means… — Jessica Valenti Copy Share Image
“By erasing any nuance and complexity about porn and sexuality, the virginity movement gives young women only two choices of who they… — Jessica Valenti Copy Share Image
I think virginity is fine, just as I think having sex is fine. I don't really care what women do sexually, and… — Jessica Valenti Copy Share Image
The studies about differences between the sexes that you see kind of get propped up in the media are more often than… — Jessica Valenti Copy Share Image
“If being premenstrual is “innocence,” does that make those of us with periods guilty? And this really gets to the heart of… — Jessica Valenti Copy Share Image
“Perhaps it’s true that in our sex-saturated culture it does take a certain amount of self-discipline to resist having sex, but restraint… — Jessica Valenti Copy Share Image
The less obvious hurdle is that of preparing parents emotionally and putting forward realistic images of parenthood and motherhood. There also needs to be… — Jessica Valenti Copy Share Image
Social media is not just another way to connect feminist and activist voices - it amplifies our messages as well. — Jessica Valenti Copy Share Image
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… — Jessica Valenti Copy Share Image
“What is closer to the truth is that when confronted with the love you deserve, it is easier to mock it than accept it.” — Jessica Valenti Copy Share Image
I think we get into very dangerous territory when we start to define who can and cannot be a feminist. It's such a slippery… — Jessica Valenti Copy Share Image
It used to be, if you wanted to have a strong, influential voice in the feminist movement, you really needed to be part of… — Jessica Valenti Copy Share Image
The implications of likability are long-lasting and serious. Women adjust their behavior to be likable and as a result have less power in the… — Jessica Valenti Copy Share Image
I think I was in high school, actually, and it was a guidance counselor or someone said, you know, you're just too loud; like… — Jessica Valenti Copy Share Image
The only purpose of an engagement ring is to show you 'belong' to someone, and your man makes bank. — Jessica Valenti Copy Share Image
Something I say a lot when it comes to anti-feminist stereotypes is that they exist for a reason. The stereotypes of feminists as ugly, or man-haters, or hairy, or whatever it is - that's really strategic. That's a really smart way to keep young women away from feminism, is to kind of put out this idea that all feminists hate… — Jessica Valenti Copy Share
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… — Jessica Valenti Copy Share Image