The Purity Myth is a 2009 book by Jessica Valenti. It was first released onto hardback on March 24, 2009 through Seal Press. The book contains research by Valenti that she asserts shows that there is a prevalent false notion promoted within the United States that a woman's worth is dictated by whether or not she is sexually active, implying that the loss of virginity can affect her negatively. A DVD tie-in titled The Purity Myth: The Virginity Movement's War Against Women was released in 2011.