I didn't rape you-you asked for it

I don't recall ever taking an abstinence-only class but it has been a long time since high school for me. I believe the only way to make people understand the harm that these courses are doing is to raise awareness via blog and similar media to young people and educate parents as well. If parents could understand the psychological harm they could do to their children by allowing these classes to be taught, it could help prevent their propagation (excuse the term). Additionally, a push against legislation that promotes this kind of education, or lack thereof, could help restrict this brainwashing of our youth. I have railed against the purity myth since I became sexually active, although I never named it before. This promotion of purity is severely anti-woman in all its forms. Its antiquated notions lead to a demonizing of women and perpetuates the sexist ideas in men that lead to sexual abuse.

I have read Katie Roiphe's book "The Morning After: Fear, Sex, and Feminism". In many of my women's studies courses it has come under fire. Here again Valenti comments on a quote from Roiphe stating, "Let's face it-this is "she was asking for it" trussed up in language about agency and responsibility (151)." Even Roiphe, a feminist, falls for the idea of a woman as a temptress. Valenti goes on to say, "Women get raped because someone raped them." Then she quotes a blogger who was raped describing the difference between the night she was attacked and any other night. "The difference was the presence of the rapist (151)." No matter what the woman is wearing or what rights she has men have always felt the need to assert their superiority and power through rape. It is within his power to control himself no matter the circumstance of the woman. It is the rapist who rapes; who forces himself on another; who basely violates the rights of another human being.

The idea of purity develops these ideas in men. He is not responsible for his actions according to the purity ideals. Women are responsible for instigating sexual acts by their words, deeds and appearance. Purity myth states that it is women who are at fault. In fact, as Valenti states, "most women are seen as incapable of being raped" according to the purity myth (157). As most women are or have been sexually active. They are already soiled and wanton because they have had sex. Valenti even points out how, "positioning women as naturally nonsexual and men as innately ravenously sexual sets up not only a dangerous model that allows for sexual violence and disallows authentic female sexual espression, but also further enforces traditional gender roles-the main objective of the purity myth (175)."