The XX Factor : virginity

Busting the Purity Myth--What Replaces It?

Emily Bazelon — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 14:05:00 GMT

Over on Talking Points Memo Cafe, I posted this week as part of a discussion of Jessica Valenti's new book, The Purity Myth . Jessica makes a strong and convincing argument against fetishizing virginity and judging how ethical girls and women are based...(read more)

Still More Reason to Lock Up Your Daughters

Kerry Howley — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 16:41:00 GMT

The talk of teacups and helicopters has me thinking about Taken , the fourth most popular movie in America and a film engineered to play on the worst, most irrational fears of American fathers—think Babel plus white slavery. A former CIA agent played...(read more)

When Economies Are Tight, Virgins Go to Auction

Susannah Breslin — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 18:10:00 GMT

Regarding the news that Natalie Dylan, a 22-year-old women's studies major, is selling her virginity to the highest bidder (currently, the top bid is at $3.7 million), Samantha wondered how selling one's virginity is, as Dylan claims, "empowering." For...(read more)

I Don't Buy It ... Your Virginity, That Is, or That Selling It Is "Empowering"

Samantha Henig — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 20:47:00 GMT

Ugh. I'm not sure what to make of Natalie Dylan, the 22-year-old who popped her media cherry in the fall when she put her virginity on the market and is now back on the scene with her staggering price tag in hand: $3.7 million is the highest bid so far...(read more)