The document summarizes Jessica Valenti's book "The Purity Myth" which argues that virginity is a social construct used to police and control women. Valenti asserts that male institutions have historically defined and assigned value to virginity. This conflates a woman's sexuality and morality, reducing her worth simply to her sexual history. The myth of virginity continues to be reinforced through popular culture and religious institutions. There is debate around whether public displays of female sexuality can be empowering or harmful.