Course:CSIS200/2025/Reimagining Purity Rings

Reimagining Purity Rings

Introduction

Purity rings were first introduced in the 1980s as a response to the ongoing "sex panic."

On a surface level purity rings "represent a pledge to remain celibate until marriage." They can be worn by both men and women, but are most commonly worn by young girls or teenagers.

Purity Balls

Young girl in a white dress that closely resembles a "purity gown."

Christian Principles

Parenting for Purity advertisement for a talk by Jason Evert on sexual morality.

Fear-Mongering

Depiction of Jezebel by John Byam Shaw.

About the Author

Gurleen Mann (she/her/hers) is a fourth year undergraduate student at the University of British Columbia. She is majoring in Political Science and hopes to pursue a career in law. She is particularly interested in how sexuality operates within different communities, cultures, and religions. As a young South Asian women, she seeks to open conversations regarding sexuality within her community which go beyond societal and cultural norms. She hopes to empower individuals to explore their sexualities and challenge existing stereotypes.