In 'The Purity Myth,' I not only discuss what the purity myth is and reveal its consequences for women, but also outline… — Jessica Valenti Copy Share Image
It's not always easy being a full-time feminist - especially as a young woman - when you're constantly being told that what… — Jessica Valenti Copy Share Image
In 2008, I was one of the young feminist whippersnappers who voted for Barack Obama over Hillary Clinton in the Democratic primaries… — Jessica Valenti Copy Share Image
I hear from a lot of young women, you know, I don't want to call myself a feminist because I don't want… — 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
I think the idea that feminism is dead is dangerous because it leads women and men to believe that (1) they don't… — Jessica Valenti Copy Share Image
...idea at play here is that of “morality.” When young women are taught about morality, there’s not often talk of compassion, kindness,… — Jessica Valenti Copy Share Image
The stereotypes of feminists as ugly, or man-haters, or hairy, or whatever it is - that's really strategic. That's a really smart… — Jessica Valenti Copy Share Image
There's no benefit to saying that you're a feminist. But you do kind of get a nice patriarchal pat on the head… — Jessica Valenti Copy Share Image
I think that the ideal of young womanhood as it's seen in pop culture specifically is a really kind of vapid, conceited,… — Jessica Valenti Copy Share Image
The desirable virgin is sexy but not sexual. She's young, white, and skinny. She's a cheerleader, a babysitter; she's accessible and eager… — 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
People seem to think, because of the way that the media has appropriated third-wave feminism or young feminism, that all young feminists… — 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
Social media is not just another way to connect feminist and activist voices - it amplifies our messages as well. — Jessica Valenti Copy Share
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
“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
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
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
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
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
The only purpose of an engagement ring is to show you 'belong' to someone, and your man makes bank. — Jessica Valenti Copy Share
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,… — 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
I do think that there is a real crisis of masculinity that's happening in America. I think the problem is - the way it's… — Jessica Valenti Copy Share
Young women know that something is off; they know that the world is a messed-up place. They know that the world is a sexist… — Jessica Valenti Copy Share
“I’m talking about the soul-crushing drudgery of day-to-day parenthood that we’re too embarrassed to talk about. The boredom, the stress, the nagging dissatisfaction, and… — Jessica Valenti Copy Share
